Kim Thorson


Kim Thorson was a Canadian lawyer and politician in Saskatchewan. He represented Souris-Estevan from 1956 to 1960 as a Saskatchewan [New Democratic Party|Co-operative Commonwealth Federation] member and from 1971 to 1975 as a New Democratic Party member in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.

Early life and education

Thorson was born in Macoun, Saskatchewan on March 2, 1932, the son of Miles Thorson and Mary Ethel Sinclair. Thorson, along with his step-brother, Barney Kuchinka Jr., his half brother, Darryl Kuchinka, and half sister, Ann Marie, were raised in Macoun by their mother and her second husband, Barney Kuchinka Sr..
He completed Grade 12 at Macoun, and continued his education at the University of Saskatchewan, where he received a BSc in Agriculture. In 1960, he returned to the University of Saskatchewan, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Law degree.

Law career

Thorson became a Queen's Council in 1972. In 1975, he joined the Law Firm of Griffin and Bekke. In 1991, he left his practice in Regina to move to Weyburn, where he joined the Firm of Hardy and Thorson.

Political career

After being elected to the Legislature in 1956 [Saskatchewan general election|1956] at the age of 24, Thorson became the youngest member of Tommy Douglas' Co-operative Commonwealth Federation government. Thorson was defeated by Liberal challenger Ian MacDougall when he ran for reelection in 1960. Following his defeat, Thorson returned to university to study law, then set up practice in Estevan.
Thorson returned to the provincial politics with the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party in a 1971 by-election held following the death of Russell Brown. Under Allen Blakeney, Thorson served in the provincial cabinet as Minister of Industry. He was defeated by Bob Larter when he ran for reelection in 1975 in the newly created constituency of Estevan.

Personal life and death

Thorson later served as chairperson of the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation. He retired on December 31, 2012.
He married Myrtle Lipsett in 1957. They had three children, Eric Miles, Janet Lynn and Vanessa Lee.
Thorson died on January 7, 2026, at the age of 93.