View source for Nathan Cullen

{{Short description|Canadian politician (born 1972)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Nathan Cullen
| image               = Cullen-2012-convention-speech.PNG
| caption             = Nathan Cullen in 2012
| office              = Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship of [[British Columbia]]
| term_start          = December 7, 2022
| term_end            = November 18, 2024
| predecessor         = [[Josie Osborne]]
| successor           = [[Randene Neill]]
| premier             = [[David Eby]]
| office1             = Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Immigration of [[British Columbia]]
| term_start1         = February 25, 2022
| term_end1           = December 7, 2022
| predecessor1        = [[Josie Osborne]]
| successor1          = [[Anne Kang]]
| premier1            = [[John Horgan]]<br>[[David Eby]]
| office2             = Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations of [[British Columbia]]
| term_start2         = November 26, 2020
| term_end2           = February 25, 2022
| predecessor2        = ''Position established''
| successor2          = ''Position abolished''
| premier2            = [[John Horgan]]
| assembly3         = British Columbia Legislative
| constituency_AM3    = [[Stikine (provincial electoral district)|Stikine]]
| term_start3         = October 24, 2020
| term_end3           = September 21, 2024
| predecessor3        = [[Doug Donaldson]]
| successor3          = [[Sharon Hartwell]]
| office4             = [[Minister of Finance (Canada)|Shadow Minister of Finance]]
| leader4             = [[Thomas Mulcair]]
| term_start4         = March 20, 2014
| term_end4           = November 19, 2015
| predecessor4        = [[Peggy Nash]]
| successor4          = [[Lisa Raitt]]
| office5             = [[Opposition House Leader]]
| term_start5         = April 20, 2012
| term_end5           = March 20, 2014
| leader5             = [[Thomas Mulcair]]
| predecessor5        = [[Joe Comartin]]
| successor5          = [[Peter Julian]]
| parliament6         = Canadian
| term_start6         = June 28, 2004
| term_end6           = September 11, 2019
| predecessor6        = [[Andy Burton (politician)|Andy Burton]]
| successor6          = [[Taylor Bachrach]]
| riding6             = [[Skeena—Bulkley Valley]]
| birth_name          = Nathan Paul Cullen
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age |1972|07|13}}<ref name="Parlinfo">{{cite web|title=Profile - Cullen, Nathan|url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=11875|publisher=Library of Parliament|access-date=2022-04-28|archive-date=2022-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428162106/https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=11875}}</ref>
| birth_place         = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| party               = [[New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
| spouse              = Diana Dahr Cullen<ref>{{cite news |title=Nathan Cullen expected to run for NDP leader |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/09/29/nathan_cullen_expected_to_run_for_ndp_leader.html |publisher=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Joanna |last=Smith |date=2011-09-29 |access-date=2022-04-28}}</ref>
| children            = 2
| residence           = [[Smithers, British Columbia]], Canada
| alma_mater          = [[Trent University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| occupation          = Private [[consultant]]
| signature           = Cullen signature.jpg
}}

'''Nathan Paul Cullen'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.ca/WPAPPS/WPF/EN/CCS/ContributionReport?returnStatus=1&reportOption=5&queryId=f22baac9ee71474dab5f4952b69e5944&sortDirection=asc&sortOrder=0%2C1%2C2&totalRecordFound=434&current200Page=1&total200Pages=3&reportExists=True&displaySorting=True|title=Search for Contributions}}</ref> (born July 13, 1972) is a Canadian politician who served as a member of the [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]] (MLA) representing the riding of [[Stikine (provincial electoral district)|Stikine]] from 2020 to 2024 as a member of the [[British Columbia New Democratic Party|New Democratic Party]] and served in the [[Executive Council of British Columbia]] from 2020 to 2024.  

Prior to entering provincial politics, Cullen served federally as a [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|member of Parliament]] (MP) representing the riding of [[Skeena—Bulkley Valley]] from 2004 to 2019. He stood in the [[2012 New Democratic Party leadership election]], where he came in third. During the 41st Parliament, Cullen was the [[Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons (Canada)|House Leader for the Official Opposition]] and then [[Minister of Finance (Canada)|Finance]] critic in [[Thomas Mulcair]]'s [[Shadow Cabinet]]. 

== Early life ==
Born and raised in [[Toronto]], Ontario, Cullen worked in several countries in Central and South America, during the 1990s, on [[community economic development]] projects.<ref>{{cite news |title=Racing for NDP leadership |newspaper=Daily News |location=[[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |date=February 27, 2004 |page=3}}</ref> Cullen has described himself as a descendant of Jewish people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nathan Cullen on Twitter: "My staff have reported this unacceptable act to the authorities. As a descendant of Jewish people, I can tell you of the pain and hurt these images cause within the community and many others. It simply must stop."|url=https://twitter.com/nathancullen/status/1466170866790666241|access-date=2021-12-02|date=2021-12-01|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> He moved to [[Smithers, British Columbia]] in 1998 and started a private consulting business focussed on [[strategic planning]] and conflict resolution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cullen pins hopes on energy, experience |newspaper=Houston Today |location=[[Houston, British Columbia]] |date=January 11, 2006 |page=7}}</ref> While working in Latin America, Cullen learned Spanish and named his company Maravilla Consultants after the town (the Spanish word for ''wonder'') in Costa Rica in which he worked.<ref name=profile>{{cite news |title=A profile: NDP Nathan Cullen |newspaper=Daily News |location=[[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |date=June 16, 2004 |page=3}}</ref>

Cullen completed high school at [[Martingrove Collegiate Institute]] in Toronto,{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} and graduated from [[Trent University]] in [[Peterborough, Ontario|Peterborough]], Ontario in 1994, with a bachelor of arts (honours) in international development studies and environmental studies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trent Alumnus Named Maclean's Magazine Parliamentarian of the Year |url=https://www.trentu.ca/news/story/22927 |website=Trent University News |access-date=17 December 2019 |language=en |date=23 November 2018}}</ref>

== Federal politics ==

=== 38th Parliament ===
At the age of 31, in the [[2004 Canadian federal election|June 2004 federal election]], Cullen was elected to his first term as a Member of Parliament. He had won the NDP nomination in the [[Skeena—Bulkley Valley]] riding three months earlier against a Prince Rupert social worker.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cullen takes NDP ticket |last= Venis |first=Rodney |newspaper=Daily News |location=[[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |date=March 15, 2004 |page= 2}}</ref>  In the general election, he challenged the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] incumbent [[Andy Burton (politician)|Andy Burton]], [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] Miles Richardson who was chair of the [[British Columbia Treaty Process|BC
 Treaty Commission]], Rod Taylor of the [[Christian Heritage Party of Canada|Christian Heritage Party]], engineer and photographer Roger Benham of the [[Green Party of Canada|Green Party]] and [[Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist)|Marxist-Leninist]] Frank Martin. The election was seen as a tight three-way race between Burton, Richardson, and Cullen.<ref>{{cite news |title=Haida leader looks ahead to better days |last= Kellogg |first=Alan |newspaper=[[Edmonton Journal]] |date=June 2, 2004 |page= 3}}</ref> Cullen made support of the federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling part of his campaign and a magnitude 6.7 earthquake off [[Haida Gwaii]] during the campaign helped highlight Cullen's arguments.<ref>{{cite news |title=B.C.'s new faces in Ottawa |last=Skelton |first=Chad |newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date= July 3, 2004 |page=C1}}</ref> Cullen went on to defeat the Conservative incumbent Burton by a margin of 1,272 votes. Cullen was the youngest of 19 New Democratic Party candidates elected to the [[38th Canadian Parliament|38th Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Layton raves about Cullen |newspaper=The Interior News |location=[[Smithers, British Columbia]] |date=August 26, 2004 |page=1}}</ref>

He became the party's national critic for youth issues, the environment and national parks. He continued to support the moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling despite Prime-Minister [[Paul Martin]] opening a [[Cabinet of Canada|cabinet level]] review of the moratorium; the review ended with the conclusion that lifting the moratorium was too politically divisive.<ref>{{cite news |title=Liberals must oppose offshore exploration, MP says |last=O'Neil |first= Peter |location= [[The Vancouver Sun]] |date=November 23, 2004 |page= 11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=B.C. Liberals' political concerns put offshore oil on back burner |last=O'Neil |first=Peter |newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date= January 12, 2005 |page= 3}}</ref>

By the end of 2004, he was voted "Favourite Up-and-Comer Rookie Politician" by fellow Members of Parliament.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Hill Times All Politics Poll (2004) |newspaper=[[The Hill Times]] |url=http://hilltimes.com/page/view/.2004.december.20.all_politics |date=December 2004 |access-date=June 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711170351/http://hilltimes.com/page/view/.2004.december.20.all_politics |archive-date=July 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cullen is rookie of year in Ottawa |newspaper=Daily News |location=[[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |date=December 22, 2004 |page= 3}}</ref> He was also awarded the US Ambassador's Award as one of only two Canadian recipients. In the first half of 2005, Cullen toured western provinces with other MPs to promote a private member's bill (Bill C-261) which would lower the voting age to 16.<ref>{{cite news |title=New bill to lower voting age to 16 |last=O'Connor |first=Elaine |newspaper=[[The Province]] |location=[[Vancouver]] |date=March 1, 2005 |page= 11}}</ref> In February he made a motion in the House of Commons to "recognize the public health impacts of smog" and require improved emission standards of light duty vehicles sold in Canada, though it was not supported by the Liberal Party or Conservative Party.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cullen wants to drive polluters off the road |last= Ritchie |first=Leanne |newspaper=Daily News |location=[[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |date=February 18, 2005 |page= 3}}</ref> In the fall, Cullen challenged the [[Minister of the Environment (Canada)|Minister of the Environment]] [[Stéphane Dion]] to take a blood test to illustrate the level of toxins present in the environment.<ref>{{cite web |title=NDP {{!}} Cullen Challenges Minister Dion to Public Blood Test |url=http://www.ndp.ca/page/1733 |website=New Democratic Party |access-date=17 December 2019 |date=19 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061219155833/http://www.ndp.ca/page/1733 |archive-date=2006-12-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ball |first1=David P. |title=Federal NDP leadership race explainer |url=https://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/2011/12/08/federal-ndp-leadership-race-explainer |website=The Vancouver Observer |access-date=17 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He also spent time lobbying the Liberal government to publicly disclose the bids for Ridley Terminal; the proposed sale of the [[Prince Rupert Port Authority]] coal loading terminals by the federal government to a private firm was criticized by opposition parties as undervaluing the facility and likely to restrict fair access by competing coal companies.<ref>{{cite news |title=MP calls for details about sale of Ridley |newspaper=Daily News |location= [[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |date= November 14, 2005 |page=1}}</ref> The sale was ultimately blocked by the Conservative Party after they won the subsequent election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tories put stop to proposed sale of Ridley |last= Ritchie |first= Leanne |newspaper=Daily News |location= [[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |date= February 8, 2006 |page= 1}}</ref>

=== 39th Parliament ===
In the [[2006 Canadian federal election|2006 election]], Cullen faced a strong challenge from the Conservative Party candidate and former MP [[Mike Scott (politician)|Mike Scott]] (who had represented [[Skeena (federal electoral district)|Skeena]] from 1993 to 2000).<ref>{{cite news |title= Tight race seen in north coast riding |last= Hoekstra |first=Gordon |newspaper= Prince George Citizen |date= January 6, 2006 |page= 3}}</ref> Scott ran an aggressive campaign attacking the Liberal candidate,<ref>{{cite news |title= Skeena Liberal candidate walks out during debate |last=Barker |first=Thomas |newspaper= Terrace Standard |location=[[Terrace, British Columbia]] |date=January 10, 2006 |page=1}}</ref> filing a request with [[Elections Canada]] for an investigation into Cullen's campaign finances,<ref>{{cite news |title=Mudslinging starts in close campaign |last=Ritchie |first=Leanne |newspaper=Daily News |date=January 9, 2006 |location=[[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |page=1}}</ref> and using signage saying "Re-elect Scott", despite the fact that Cullen was the incumbent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scott defends decision to run campaign for re-election |last= Zimmerman |first=Sarah |newspaper=Terrace Standard |date=January 5, 2006 |page=1}}</ref> Cullen was effective at forcing Scott to defend issues from his time in office during the 1990s<ref>{{cite news |title=Scott counters Cullen claim |newspaper=The Northern Sentinel |location= [[Kitimat, British Columbia]] |date=January 4, 2006 |page= 5}}</ref> while Scott made Cullen defend his vote to support the [[Canadian Firearms Registry]] despite promising to vote against it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Conservatives put Cullen on notice |newspaper=Houston Today |location= [[Houston, British Columbia]] |date=January 11, 2006 |page= 7}}</ref> Cullen went on to win by an unexpectedly large margin, 15%, over Scott.<ref>{{cite news |title=It's Cullen by a landslide |last=Ritchie |first=Leanne |newspaper=Daily News |date=January 24, 2006 |location=[[Prince Rupert, British Columbia]] |page=3}}</ref>

In April 2006, Cullen introduced a [[Private Member's Bill]] (''Phthalate Control Act'' Bill C-307) to ban [[phthalates]], a chemical in many plastics, from products intended for infants and toddlers.<ref name="Bill 307">{{cite web|url = http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=2&Mode=1&Pub=Bill&Doc=C-307_3|title=Bill C-307 An Act respecting bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate|access-date = 8 June 2010}}</ref> The bill passed through all stages in the House of Commons but died on the order paper in the Senate when the 39th Parliament was dissolved. The proposal was subsequently adopted by Government and in June 2009 new regulations were introduced to place restrictions on six phthalates.<ref>Canada Gazette Vol. 143, No. 25 — June 20, 2009 'Phthalates Regulation' {{cite web |url=http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-06-20/html/reg3-eng.html |title=Canada Gazette – Phthalates Regulations |access-date=2011-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125100143/http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-06-20/html/reg3-eng.html |archive-date=2010-11-25 }}</ref>

As Environment Critic for the NDP, Cullen sat on the committee that largely re-wrote the Government's Clean Air Act (C-30). The new act was called the ''Clean Air and Climate Change Act'' (Bill C-468).<ref name="Committee largely rewrites Tories' Clean Air Act">{{cite web|url = https://www.ctvnews.ca/committee-largely-rewrites-tories-clean-air-act-1.235123 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021105607/http://www.ctvnews.ca/committee-largely-rewrites-tories-clean-air-act-1.235123 |url-status = dead |archive-date = October 21, 2012 |title = Committee largely rewrites Tories' Clean Air Act| access-date = 8 June 2010|last = Canadian Press| year = 2007}}</ref>  The Government refused to reintroduce the bill after Cullen's revisions and the act died on the order paper in the House.

=== 40th Parliament ===
Following the 2008 election, Cullen was named the New Democrat Critic for Natural Resources and Energy. In this role he chaired the NDP's Green Economy Taskforce, working on ways to help create employment while meeting our responsibilities to the planet's future generations and promoted sustainable energy development through a study of Canada's Energy Security at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/committeebusiness/StudyActivityHome.aspx?Cmte=RNNR&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=3&Stac=3360783 |title=House of Commons Committees - RNNR - ARCHIVE (40-3) - Study Home - Energy Security in Canada |publisher=Parl.gc.ca |access-date=2011-12-26}}</ref> Cullen also led an NDP effort to secure a bulk oil tanker ban on the north coast of British Columbia which led to the passage in the House of Commons of a motion calling for such a ban by a close vote of 143–138.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/b-c-oil-tanker-ban-motion-passes-in-commons-1.948609 | work=CBC News | title=B.C. oil tanker ban motion passes in Commons | date=December 7, 2010}}</ref>

In 2009 Cullen created a contest in his constituency called Create Your Canada which challenges students between grades 5 and 12 to submit proposals for federal legislation. Two winners are picked each year and are flown to Ottawa to watch their submissions introduced in the House of Commons as private member's bills. In 2009, two bills were introduced: Bill C-399, which proposed a ban on the mining and export of [[asbestos]]; and Bill C-400, which encouraged the Government of Canada to support the development of cycling friendly infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZRNDFeDWKs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/yZRNDFeDWKs| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=CBC The National news report |publisher=Youtube.com |access-date=2011-12-26}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== 41st Parliament ===
In 2011, Cullen was elected for a fourth term with 55% of all votes cast— the highest plurality in the riding since 1962.<ref name="Pundits">{{cite web|url = http://www.punditsguide.ca/candidate_e.php?candidate=890|title = Nathan Cullen (M)|access-date = 3 June 2010|last = Funke|first = Alice|year = 2010}}</ref> In the [[41st Canadian Parliament|41st Parliament]], Cullen served as Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Privacy, Access to Information and Ethics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/CommitteeBusiness/CommitteeMembership.aspx?Cmte=ETHI&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=1 |title=House of Commons Committees - ETHI (41-1) - Membership |publisher=Parl.gc.ca |access-date=2011-12-26}}</ref> He was also the Associate Critic for Natural Resources, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Environment and Sustainable Development before resigning from his roles to participate in the NDP leadership race.<ref>{{cite web|last=Government of Canada|title=Member of Parliament Profile|url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170843&SubSubject=1003&Language=E}}</ref> The 2013 ''Hill Times'' Annual Most Valuable Politician & All Politics Poll awarded Cullen 3rd place in the "Best Up-and-comer MP" category, tied with [[Elizabeth May]].<ref>{{cite news |title=National News: Elizabeth May named one of Canada's Top 3 Most Valuable MPs for 2013 |url=http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=25982#.Ur9KIPRDsrU |access-date=28 December 2012 |newspaper=Northumberland View |date=16 December 2013 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308072524/http://northumberlandview.ca/index.php?func=display&module=news&sid=25982&type=user#.Ur9KIPRDsrU |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== NDP leadership race ====
{{main|2012 New Democratic Party leadership election}}
[[File:Nathan Cullen 2012-02-12.jpg|150px|thumb|Nathan Cullen during a candidates debate on February 12, 2012 in Québec]]
Following the death of party leader [[Jack Layton]], the NDP began a [[2012 New Democratic Party leadership election|leadership race]]. Cullen announced his official candidacy on September 30, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|last=The Globe and Mail|title=Nathan Cullen throws his hat into the NDP leadership race|url= https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/bcs-nathan-cullen-throws-his-hat-into-ndp-leadership-ring/article2187381/?from=sec431 |work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=30 September 2011|location=Toronto|date=October 1, 2011}}</ref> In his opening speech, Cullen stated his vision for a new and progressive kind of politics, saying "now's the time for an honest discussion about the direction our politics is going in...and how we must change it for the better."<ref>{{cite web|last=Cullen|first=Nathan|title=Speech - Nathan Cullen 2012|url=http://www.nathancullen.ca/en/speech/|work=Nathan Cullen|publisher=Nathan Cullen|access-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002141433/http://www.nathancullen.ca/en/speech|archive-date=2011-10-02|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cullen also argued the choice between the economy and the environment is unnecessary, but that a [[green economy]] is a balance between creating jobs and protecting the environment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Northern View|title=Meet the Candidates|url=http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_north/thenorthernview/news/119219824.html|access-date=2011-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411102008/http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_north/thenorthernview/news/119219824.html|archive-date=2011-04-11|url-status=dead}}</ref> He cast himself as a pro-business candidate.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1124461--ndp-s-nathan-cullen-at-star-editorial-board-i-m-pro-business |title= NDP's Nathan Cullen at Star editorial board: 'I'm pro-business' |date= January 31, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2012| newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1124297--ndp-leadership-hopeful-nathan-cullen-says-there-s-nothing-wrong-with-making-a-buck |title= NDP leadership hopeful Nathan Cullen says there's nothing wrong with making a buck |date= January 31, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2012| newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Richard J. |last=Brennan}}</ref>

Cullen proposed that joint primary nominations should take place in Conservative-held ridings to determine the best possible local candidate to avoid vote splitting among 'progressives'. Cullen is suggesting that each constituency association would have the choice of whether or not to run their respective campaign in this way, and that there would be no "top-down" directive to do so. In his policy papers thus far, Cullen has also advanced a number of other ideas such as: creating a national public transit strategy, instituting carbon cap-and-trade pricing, putting a moratorium on new [[genetically modified organisms]], redefining the Canadian Wheat Board, and holding a referendum on [[Electoral reform|voting reform]] (Cullen supports [[mixed-member proportional representation]] as currently used in New Zealand and Germany).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.canada.com/news/Mulcair+Cullen+Dewar+main+targets+attack+debate/6069110/story.html |title= Mulcair, Cullen and Dewar main targets of attack in NDP debate |date= January 29, 2012 |access-date= February 4, 2012 |publisher= [[Canada.com]] |first= Tobi |last= Cohen }}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cullen|first=Nathan|title=Policy Ideas|url=http://www.nathancullen.ca/en/policies/|access-date=2011-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231112258/http://www.nathancullen.ca/en/policies|archive-date=2011-12-31|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Observers and commentators noted that Cullen's performances in the debates increased his profile. Whereas at the beginning of the race Cullen was considered one of the "also-rans", he eventually was given considerably more attention, with the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]], ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', ''[[Toronto Star]]'', and ''[[National Post]]'' all running articles on his candidacy.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-leadership-bid-shows-cullen-not-afraid-to-take-risks-1.1207989 |title= NDP leadership bid shows Cullen not afraid to take risks |date= February 6, 2012 |access-date=February 12, 2012| newspaper=[[CBC News]] |first=Meagan |last=Fitzpatrick}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/operating+Cullen+will+only/6082333/story.html#ndpldr |title= Co-operating Cullen will go only so far |date= February 1, 2012 |access-date= February 12, 2012 |newspaper= [[National Post]] |first= Chris |last= Selley |df= mdy-all }}{{dead link|date=October 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/lawrence-martin/in-the-ndp-race-cullens-the-one-to-watch/article2320099/ |title= In the NDP Race, Cullen's the one to watch |date= January 31, 2012 |access-date=February 12, 2012| newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |first=Lawrence |last=Martin |location=Toronto}}</ref>

On the day of the convention, Cullen surprised many by placing third in the first round of voting with 16% of the vote, behind with [[Thomas Mulcair]] and [[Brian Topp]] in first and second respectively (30% for Mulcair, 21% for Topp). He continued to hold third place after the second and third counts, eventually being eliminated at the third count with 24.6% of the votes (Mulcair had 43% of the vote, Topp had 31%).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mcleod |first1=Paul |title=Mulcair wins NDP leadership {{!}} The Chronicle Herald |url=https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/canada/77153-mulcair-wins-ndp-leadership/ |access-date=17 December 2019 |date=1 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701173115/https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/canada/77153-mulcair-wins-ndp-leadership/ |archive-date=2018-07-01 }}</ref> He declined to endorse another candidate.<ref>{{cite web |title=NDP Leadership 2012 – Northern Public Affairs |url=https://www.northernpublicaffairs.ca/index/ndp-leadership-2012/ |website=Northern Public Affairs |access-date=17 December 2019}}</ref>

==== House Leader for the Official Opposition ====

On April 20, 2012 Cullen was named [[Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons (Canada)|House Leader for the Official Opposition]] in Thomas Mulcair's first Shadow Cabinet Shuffle. Cullen replaced long time Ontario MP [[Joe Comartin]] as House Leader, with Comartin being named Critic for Democratic Reform.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/nathan-cullen-ndp |title= Nathan Cullen named Opposition House leader in NDP shuffle|date= April 19, 2012 |access-date=April 20, 2012| newspaper=[[National Post]] |first=Petter |last=O’Neil}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/ndp-leader-mulcair-elevates-rivals-to-key-posts-in-shadow-cabinet-148222615.html|title= NDP Leader Mulcair elevates rivals to key posts in shadow cabinet |date= April 20, 2012 |access-date=April 20, 2012| newspaper=[[Winnipeg Free Press]]}}</ref>

==== Finance Critic for the Official Opposition ====
On March 20, 2014, Cullen replaced Peggy Nash as Finance Critic for the Official Opposition just days after former Natural Resources minister [[Joe Oliver (politician)|Joe Oliver]] was named Minister of Finance.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/03/21/nathan-cullen-ndp-finance-critic-salary_n_5007937.html | title=Nathan Cullen's Promotion To NDP Finance Critic Will Cost Him $40,000 | work=Huffington Post Canada | date=21 March 2014 | access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|author=New Democratic Party of Canada| title=Mulcair announces changes to the Shadow Cabinet
 | url=https://www.ndp.ca/news/mulcair-announces-changes-to-shadow-cabinet | date=March 20, 2014 | accessdate=March 21, 2014 }}</ref> Upon taking up the post, Cullen emphasized his previous occupation as a small business owner in northern British Columbia against Oliver's previous career as a [[Merrill Lynch]] executive and promised to bring a "Main Street" perspective to challenge Oliver's "Bay Street" background.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thenorthernview.com/news/251325151.html | title=Nathan Cullen moved to federal finance critic position | publisher=Northern View | date=20 March 2014 | access-date=14 August 2015 | author=Thomas, Shaun }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In March 2015, Cullen attacked Joe Oliver over his avoidance of Question Period after repeated delays in introducing the budget after the drop in oil prices.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/joe-oliver-avoiding-question-period-so-he-can-prepare-the-federal-budget-spokeswoman | title=Joe Oliver avoiding Question Period so he can provide the federal budget: spokeswoman | publisher=National Post | date=26 March 2015 | access-date=14 August 2015 | author=Maher, Stephen}}</ref>

On September 23, 2014, Cullen tabled Bill C-628 (short-titled An Act to Defend the Pacific Northwest) in the House of Commons, which would ban supertankers from the [[Queen Charlotte Sound (Canada)|Queen Charlotte Sound]], the [[Hecate Strait]] and the [[Dixon Entrance]], as well as modify the ''National Energy Board Act'' to require any pipeline review to take into account the impact of any proposal on employment in the refining and upgrading sectors, and require the [[National Energy Board]] to deepen its consultations with communities and First Nations. The bill was a response to the National Energy Board's approval of the [[Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines|Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Nathan Cullen introduces bill to protect Pacific Northwest |url=https://www.ndp.ca/news/nathan-cullen-introduces-bill-to-protect-pacific-northwest |website=Canada's NDP |access-date=17 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

As part of the ''Take Back Our Coast'' campaign, Cullen toured dozens of communities around British Columbia's north, interior, lower mainland and across Vancouver Island promoting Bill C-628 and raising awareness about the potential impacts of a pipeline or supertanker spill from Northern Gateway on fisheries, tourism and communities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Take back our coast |url=http://takebackourcoast.ca/ |website=Canada's NDP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220135943/http://takebackourcoast.ca/ |access-date=17 December 2019 |archive-date=2016-02-20 |language=en}}</ref> On April 1, 2015, the bill came to a vote at second reading in the House of Commons, and was defeated by a count of 141–120, with all government MPs voting against.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Martina |title=Conservatives vote out An Act to Defend the Pacific Northwest |url=http://www.thenorthernview.com/news/298394691.html |website=Prince Rupert Northern View |access-date=17 December 2019 |date=1 April 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042958/http://www.thenorthernview.com/news/298394691.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On November 22, 2014, Cullen was named Most Knowledgeable Parliamentarian at the [[Maclean's]] Magazine Parliamentarian of the Year Awards in Ottawa, edging out Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who placed second in votes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bleifuss |first1=Joel |title=NDP Rising Star Nathan Cullen on How Republican Tactics are Infecting Canadian Politics, and More |url=http://inthesetimes.com/article/18376/nathan_cullen_NDP_republican_tactics |website=In These Times |access-date=17 December 2019 |date=5 October 2015}}</ref>

===42nd Parliament===
After the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 election]], Cullen was appointed the NDP critic for [[Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada)|Environment and Climate Change]] and [[Minister of Democratic Institutions|Democratic Reform]] in the [[42nd Canadian Parliament|42nd Parliament]].<ref name="NDP 42nd Critics">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-critics-list-mulcair-thursday-1.3315431 | title=Tom Mulcair taps Nathan Cullen, Charlie Angus, Guy Caron for top critic roles | publisher=[[The Canadian Press]] | work=[[CBC News]] | date=12 November 2015 | access-date=12 November 2015 | author=Kirkup, Kristy}}</ref>

As critic for Democratic Institutions, Cullen took the lead in criticizing the government's plans for electoral reform, and in particular for the [[Canadian House of Commons Special Committee on Electoral Reform|Special Committee on Electoral Reform]]. The government ultimately reversed course, and instead backed Cullen's motion for the composition of the committee.<ref>Laura Stone, [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-agree-to-surrender-majority-on-electoral-reform-committee/article30244700/ Liberals agree to give majority to Opposition on electoral reform committee], ''The Globe & Mail'', June 2, 2016.</ref> Cullen was subsequently named to the committee, and serves as vice-chair.

Cullen announced on March 1, 2019, that he would not run for re-election in [[2019 Canadian federal election|that year's federal election]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Zussman |first1=Richard |title=NDP MP Nathan Cullen not running in the 2019 federal election |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5013930/nathan-cullen-not-running-again/ |access-date=March 5, 2019 |work=Global News |date=March 1, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tasker |first1=John Paul |title=NDP MP Nathan Cullen isn't running again |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-mp-nathan-cullen-1.5039697 |access-date=March 5, 2019 |work=CBC News |date=March 1, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==Provincial politics==
On January 27, 2020, Cullen was appointed by the Government of British Columbia as the liaison between the province and the [[Wetʼsuwetʼen]] hereditary chiefs. Cullen's appointment came in the midst of the [[2020 Canadian pipeline and railway protests]], after the hereditary chiefs refused to meet with BC Minister of Indigenous Relations [[Scott Fraser (politician)|Scott Fraser]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zussman|first=Richard|date=2020-01-27|title=B.C. government appoints Nathan Cullen as liaison with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6468857/b-c-government-appoints-nathan-cullen-as-liaison-with-wetsuweten-hereditary-chiefs/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref>

In the lead up to the [[2020 British Columbia general election]], Cullen announced his intention to seek the nomination for the [[British Columbia New Democratic Party|BC NDP]] in the riding of [[Stikine (provincial electoral district)|Stikine]], essentially the northern portion of his federal riding.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wells |first1=Nick |title=Former Skeena MP Nathan Cullen eyes B.C. NDP nomination |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/politics/former-skeena-mp-nathan-cullen-eyes-b-c-ndp-nomination |access-date=September 17, 2020 |work=Vancouver Sun |date=September 17, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> His candidacy became the subject of controversy when he was acclaimed by the party one week after [[Annita McPhee]], a former elected president of the [[Tahltan Nation]], announced she was seeking the nomination for the riding.<ref>{{cite web|title=Horgan's defence of Stikine fiasco as plausible as rationale for calling early election|url=https://theprovince.com/opinion/columnists/vaughn-palmer-the-team-is-no-good-and-its-corrupt-might-turn-out-to-be-one-of-defining-quotes-of-election|access-date=23 September 2020|website=The Province}}</ref> The BC NDP has an equity policy whereby a male MLA has to be replaced by a member of an equity-seeking group, such as a woman or a First Nations person, when he retires. The party claimed that McPhee's application contained invalid signatures, and that the local riding association conducted a search for candidates to meet its equity policy but none were willing to stand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indigenous leader says B.C. NDP ignored own equity policy nominating Nathan Cullen|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/indigenous-leader-says-bc-ndp-ignored-own-equity-policy-nominating-nathan-cullen/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924012218/https://bc.ctvnews.ca/indigenous-leader-says-b-c-ndp-ignored-own-equity-policy-nominating-nathan-cullen-1.5116116|url-status=live|archive-date=September 24, 2020|access-date=23 September 2020|website=CTV News}}</ref> McPhee asked Nathan Cullen to step down from seeking the nomination for that riding because of the party's equity policy but Cullen refused.<ref>{{cite web|title=BC NDP election hopeful calling on party to apply gender mandate, block Nathan Cullen from consideration|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7346608/bc-ndp-election-hopeful-calling-on-party-to-apply-gender-mandate-block-nathan-cullen-from-consideration/|access-date=23 September 2020|website=Global News}}</ref> Despite the controversy, Cullen was elected with 51.7% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Newman|first=Lindsay|date=2020-11-10|title=Nathan Cullen reacts to win after final ballot numbers released by Elections BC|url=https://www.mybulkleylakesnow.com/43792/nathan-cullen-reacts-to-win-after-final-ballot-numbers-released-by-elections-bc/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=My Bulkley Lakes Now|language=en-CA}}</ref>

On November 26, 2020, Cullen was sworn in to the [[Executive Council of British Columbia]] as Minister of State for Lands and Resource Operations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Newman|first=Lindsay|date=2020-11-26|title=Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen appointed Minister of State for lands and natural resource operations|url=https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/132221/stikine-mla-nathan-cullen-appointed-minister-of-state-for-lands-and-natural-resource-operations/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=My Prince George Now|language=en-CA}}</ref> On February 25, 2022 he was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PREM0011-000268 |title = New ministers appointed for land stewardship, municipal affairs|publisher=Office of the Premier of British Columbia |date=2022-02-25 |accessdate=2022-04-28 }}</ref> He was subsequently named Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and Minister Responsible for Fisheries in the [[Eby ministry]] on December 7, 2022.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=2022-12-07 |title=New cabinet ready to take action on cost of living, health care, housing, climate |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PREM0097-001863 |access-date=2022-12-09 |publisher=Office of the Premier of British Columbia |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[2024 British Columbia general election]], he was unseated by [[Sharon Hartwell]] from the [[Conservative Party of British Columbia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-20 |title=BREAKING: Conservatives upset NDP cabinet minister in Bulkley Valley-Stikine |url=https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/election/breaking-conservatives-upset-ndp-cabinet-minister-in-bulkley-valley-stikine-7598955 |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Cowichan Valley Citizen |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Nathan Cullen and Diana Dahr met in Smithers through their work with [[Katimavik]], and they were engaged by the end of 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Busy times for Cullen: Northern BC's Only Independent Regional Magazine|url=http://northword.ca/december-2011/busy-times-for-cullen |website=Northwood Magazine |access-date=17 December 2019}}</ref> On August 6, 2010, they became parents of twin boys at Mills Memorial Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://nathancullen.ndp.ca/nathan-and-diana-cullen-overjoyed-new-parents-of-two-new-sons |title = Nathan and Diana Cullen overjoyed new parents of two new sons}}</ref>

== Election results ==
=== Provincial elections ===
{{2020 British Columbia general election/Stikine}}
{{2024 British Columbia general election/Bulkley Valley-Stikine}}

=== Federal elections ===
{{2004 Canadian federal election/Skeena—Bulkley Valley}}
{{2006 Canadian federal election/Skeena—Bulkley Valley}}
{{2008 Canadian federal election/Skeena—Bulkley Valley}}
{{2011 Canadian federal election/Skeena—Bulkley Valley}}
{{2015 Canadian federal election/Skeena—Bulkley Valley}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Nathan Cullen}}
*{{Official website|http://www.nathancullen.com}}
*[http://www.nathancullen.com MP Skeena-Bulkley Valley]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060215194458/http://www.howdtheyvote.ca/member.php?id=75 How'd They Vote?: Nathan Cullen's voting history and quotes]
*{{Canadian Parliament links|ID=11875}}

{{Eby ministry}}
{{Horgan Ministry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cullen, Nathan}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Commons of Canada from British Columbia]]
[[Category:New Democratic Party MPs]]
[[Category:People from Smithers, British Columbia]]
[[Category:Politicians from Toronto]]
[[Category:Canadian consultants]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada]]
[[Category:British Columbia New Democratic Party MLAs]]
[[Category:Trent University alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]]