Erik Nielsen

The Honourable Erik Nielsen PC DFC QC
3rd Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
In office September 17, 1984 – June 30, 1986
Prime Minister	Brian Mulroney
Preceded by	Jean Chrétien
Succeeded by	Don Mazankowski
Leader of the Opposition
In office February 2, 1983 – August 28, 1983
Preceded by	Joe Clark
Succeeded by	Brian Mulroney
Interim Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
In office February 19, 1983 – June 11, 1983
Preceded by	Joe Clark
Succeeded by	Brian Mulroney
Minister of National Defence
In office February 27, 1985 – June 29, 1986
Prime Minister	Brian Mulroney
Preceded by	Robert Coates
Succeeded by	Perrin Beatty
President of the Privy Council
In office September 17, 1984 – February 26, 1985
Prime Minister	Brian Mulroney
Preceded by	André Ouellet
Succeeded by	Ray Hnatyshyn
Minister of Public Works
In office June 4, 1979 – March 2, 1980
Prime Minister	Joe Clark
Preceded by	André Ouellet
Succeeded by	Paul Cosgrove
Member of Parliament for Yukon
In office December 16, 1957 – January 16, 1987
Preceded by	James Aubrey Simmons
Succeeded by	Audrey McLaughlin
Personal details
Born	Erik Hersholt Nielsen (1924-02-24)February 24, 1924 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died	September 4, 2008(2008-09-04) (aged 84) Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Spouse(s)	Pamela June Nielsen (–1969) Shelley Nielsen (1983–2008)
Relatives	Leslie Nielsen (brother)
Profession	Politician barrister attorney
Military service
Branch/service	RCAF
Years of service	1942–1945 1946–1951
Rank	Lieutenant

Erik Hersholt Nielsen PC DFC QC (February 24, 1924 – September 4, 2008) was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as the longtime Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Yukon, and was Leader of the Opposition and the third deputy prime minister. He was the elder brother of actor Leslie Nielsen.