Jennifer Whiteside unanimously chosen as new BC NDP interim leader

Following the resignation of former premier David Eby, the BC NDP caucus have announced Jennifer Whiteside as the party’s new interim leader.

She was recommended by the BC NDP caucus after Eby conceded the election, took responsibility for the loss and ultimately resigned as leader.

Because of Eby’s snap election, the party went from having a majority government of 47 seats in the legislature to 28. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party won a supermajority at the polls with 63 seats in Lorne Doerkson’s soon-to-be formed government. 

Whiteside was unanimously chosen to lead the BC NDP at a caucus meeting held on Thursday, October 28th. 

At the same meeting, Mike Farnworth was named house leader and Niki Sharma was named caucus chair.

Eby was reportedly absent from the caucus meeting. 

Whiteside is the elected MLA of New Westminster-Coquitlam and has served as the electoral district’s representative in the legislature since 2020. 

She was born and raised in New Westminster, having graduated from New Westminster Secondary School before finishing secondary studies at Burnaby South. 

Whiteside continued post-secondary by attending Douglas College and Simon Fraser University, graduating with a degree in history.

Before becoming a politician, Whiteside held several labour-sector positions, including working with the Hospital Employees’ Union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Conseil provincial des affaires sociales in Quebec. 

Under Eby, she also served as Minister of Education and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. 

With Whiteside now named interim leader, the BC NDP will look to the future and have to begin planning an election within the party to determine a permanent leader. 

More to come.