Jonathan Wilkinson
- Born
- June 11, 1965 — Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Education
- Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988; master's degrees in international relations, politics, and economics from the University of Oxford and McGill University
- Career
- Advisor to Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow; civil servant from 1991 to 1995; Bain & Company; QuestAir Technologies; Nexterra Systems; BQE Waters
- Political Experience
- Former leader of the New Democratic Party's youth wing in Saskatchewan; Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard from 2018 to 2019; Minister of Environment and Climate Change from 2019 to 2021; Minister of Energy and Natural Resources from 2021 to 2025; MP for North Vancouver—Capilano since 2015
- Notable
- Prairies Rhodes Scholar in 1988; publicly sponsored political prisoners detained by the Iranian government during the 2022–2023 Iranian protests
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, Jonathan Wilkinson had a career focused on the clean technology and energy sectors. He reportedly served as the Chief Executive Officer for two publicly traded companies, QuestAir Technologies and BioteQ Environmental Technologies Inc. He also worked as a senior executive at Nexterra, a company specializing in energy-from-waste systems. Wilkinson's background also includes work as a constitutional negotiator and a management consultant at Bain & Company. He was a Rhodes Scholar and attended Oxford University, Princeton University, and the University of Saskatchewan.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a senior cabinet minister in the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Wilkinson's most significant political relationship is with the Prime Minister himself. Trudeau has appointed him to several high-profile and economically significant portfolios, including Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard; Minister of Environment and Climate Change; and Minister of Natural Resources. This indicates a position of trust within the inner circle of the Liberal government.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In 2019, questions were raised in media reports regarding federal funding received by BQE Water, a company formerly known as BioteQ, where Wilkinson had been CEO and held shares. The funding was reportedly awarded after he was elected as an MP. According to reports at the time, the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner reviewed the matter. The Commissioner's office reportedly stated that Wilkinson had properly established a conflict of interest screen and had followed all the rules, and therefore no further action was taken.
Public Controversies
As Minister of Environment and later Natural Resources, Wilkinson has been a central figure in several major national policy debates. He has faced criticism from environmental groups and opposition parties for the government's purchase and continued support of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, a project seen by some as contradictory to Canada's climate goals. Conversely, he has also been the target of criticism from some provincial governments and industry groups for championing the federal carbon pricing program (the carbon tax) and for his work on the government's proposed 'just transition' legislation, aimed at helping workers in the oil and gas sector move into green energy jobs.
Where Jonathan falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Jonathan Wilkinson won with 37,907 votes (59.8%)
Total votes cast: 63,364
How does Jonathan Wilkinson's voting record line up with your values?