Nicholas "Nick" William Taylor (born November 17, 1927 in Bow Island, Alberta) is a retired geologist, businessman and politician and former Canadian Senator from Alberta, Canada.
Taylor started his political career by running for the Liberal Party of Canada in the 1968 and 1972 federal elections in Calgary Centre he was defeated both times.
Taylor later became leader of the Alberta Liberal Party from 1974 to 1988. During the start of his tenure as Liberal party leader, the party was at its worst point in history. Prior to taking the helm the last Liberal to serve in the Alberta Legislative Assembly, Bill Dickie of Calgary Glenmore would cross the floor to the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party in 1969.
Taylor slowly rebuilt the party in Alberta despite the unpopularity of the Liberal Party of Canada, after implementing such programs as the National Energy Program. In the 1986 Alberta general election, the Liberals finally made a breakthrough winning four seats, and third party representation. Taylor was elected by over 500 votes in the newly created northern Alberta riding of Westlock-Sturgeon which he was again re-elected in 1989. In 1993, Taylor was elected by a 1700-vote margin in the newly created riding of Redwater against incumbent-PC MLA Steve Zarusky.
Taylor was appointed to the Canadian Senate by Jean Chrétien. He served as a Liberal member from 1996 to 2002. While in the Senate, Taylor was criticized by Democracy Watch for a conflict of interest matter while chairing a committee.
As a local politician in Alberta, Taylor was known for his especially sharp wit and humorous barbs in question period during legislative sessions.
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—Clement Clarke Moore (1779–1863)
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Ye Nymphs that reign o’er sewers and sinks,
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—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834)