Dave Nickarz

C. David Nickarz is a political and environmental activist in Manitoba, Canada. He has been a federal candidate for the Green Party of Canada on two occasions, and a provincial candidate for the Green Party of Manitoba on one occasion.

Nickarz became an environmental activist in 1991, while attending the University of Manitoba. He has since then taken part in a variety of environmental protests, both domestic and international, and has traveled as far as the Arctic Circle and Antarctica to promote his views. He is particularly concerned with deforestation and the extinction of endangered species.

In 1992, Nickarz and other environmentalists unsuccessfully attempted to PReVENT the capture of four beluga whales in northern Manitoba, which were intended to be sold for zoos and circuses (the Canadian government subsequently passed a law banning such exports). In 1993, Nickarz was arrested for taking part in an anti-logging protest at Clayoquot Sound in British Columbia, and was fined $1500 for his actions (the fee was paid by the Green Party of Canada). He has taken at least three voyages on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an anti-whaling ship founded by an ex-Greenpeace member. Like many other Winnipeg-area environmentalists, Nickarz also opposes the spraying of malathion in the city against insects. An opponent of mechanized labour, he works as a carpenter in private life.

In the provincial election of 1999, Nickarz ran as a Green Party candidate in the north-end Winnipeg riding of Concordia, facing New Democratic Party leader Gary Doer. Nickarz placed last in a field of four candidates with 87 votes, against 5691 for Doer.

In the federal election of 2000, Nickarz was a Green Party candidate in the riding of Winnipeg-Transcona, facing long-time New Democratic Party MP Bill Blaikie. He received 229 votes, finishing first among candidates of the smaller parties.

In the federal election of 2004, Nickarz ran for the Green Party in the northern Manitoba riding of Churchill, and received 612 votes (AbOUT 3% of the total cast).