Editing Rob Nicholson (section)

=== First terms in the House of Commons (1984–1993) ===
Nicholson was first elected to federal parliament in the [[1984 Canadian federal election|federal election of 1984]] as a [[Progressive Conservative Party of Canada|Progressive Conservative]], defeating [[New Democratic Party (Canada)|New Democrat]] Richard Harrington and incumbent [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Al MacBain]]. He was re-elected by a narrower margin in the [[1988 Canadian federal election|1988 election]], defeating Liberal [[Gary Pillitteri]] by fewer than 2,000 votes.

During the [[33rd Canadian Parliament]], he served on the standing committees responsible for justice (vice-chairman), foreign affairs, national defence and transport.  Nicholson also served on the special committee on child care.<ref name="Robnicholsonmp">{{cite web|author=Parliament of Canada |url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170414&Language=E |title=Member of Parliament Profile: Hon. Rob Nicholson |access-date=2012-09-18}}</ref>

During the [[34th Canadian Parliament]], he continued to serve on the justice committee and was also named a [[parliamentary secretary]], supporting the [[Government House Leader]] (1989-1990) and the [[Attorney General of Canada]] (1989-1993) in [[Prime Minister of Canada]] [[Brian Mulroney]]'s [[24th Canadian Ministry|government]].

Following [[Kim Campbell]]'s appointment as prime minister, Nicholson joined the cabinet as [[Minister for Science (Canada)|Minister for Science]] and [[Minister responsible for Small Business (Canada)|Minister responsible for Small Business]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson|url=http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister/honourable-robert-douglas-nicholson|publisher=Prime Minister of Canada|access-date=10 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220232815/http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister/honourable-robert-douglas-nicholson|archive-date=20 December 2013}}</ref>

As with all of his caucus colleagues, save for [[Jean Charest]] and [[Elsie Wayne]], he was defeated in the [[1993 Canadian federal election|1993 election]], finishing third behind Pillitteri and Mel Grunstein of the [[Reform Party of Canada|Reform Party]].