Jennifer Whiteside

Jennifer Whiteside is a Canadian politician and trade unionist who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2020 British Columbia general election.[1] She represents the electoral district of New Westminster as a member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP). She has served in the cabinet of British Columbia since 2020, currently as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.[2]

The Honourable
Jennifer Whiteside
MLA
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions of British Columbia
Assumed office
December 7, 2022
PremierDavid Eby
Preceded bySheila Malcolmson
Minister of Education of British Columbia
In office
November 26, 2020 – December 7, 2022
PremierJohn Horgan
David Eby
Preceded byRob Fleming
Succeeded byRachna Singh (Minister of Education and Child Care)
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for New Westminster
Assumed office
October 24, 2020
Preceded byJudy Darcy
Personal details
BornNew Westminster, British Columbia
Political partyNew Democratic
EducationSimon Fraser University
Occupationtrade unionist

Biography

Born and raised in New Westminster, Whiteside went to New Westminster Secondary School before finishing secondary studies at Burnaby South.[3] She then attended Douglas College before enrolling at Simon Fraser University, graduating with a degree in history.[4][5]

Prior to entering politics, Whiteside held a variety of positions within the labour movement. She had worked as a researcher with the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) in BC, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Conseil provincial des affaires sociales in Quebec,[6] before re-joining the HEU in 2015 as secretary-business manager, also covering duties including chief spokesperson and lead negotiator.[4][7]

With incumbent Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for New Westminster Judy Darcy declining to seek re-election in 2020, Whiteside decided to contest the BC NDP nomination for the riding.[8] After securing the nomination,[9] she was elected MLA for New Westminster on October 24, 2020 with 60% of the popular vote.[10]

On November 26, 2020, Whiteside was appointed Minister of Education in the second cabinet of Premier John Horgan.[11][12] On December 7, 2022 she was named Minister of Mental Health and Addictions by Premier David Eby.[13]

Election results
2020 British Columbia general election: New Westminster
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJennifer Whiteside15,90360.25+8.32$31,579.21
GreenCyrus Sy5,02019.02−6.05$18,803.70
LiberalLorraine Brett4,29116.26−4.94$9,107.81
ConservativeBenny Ogden9123.46–$0.00
LibertarianDonald Wilson2691.02+0.30$0.00
Total valid votes 26,395100.00–
Total rejected ballots   
Turnout   
Registered voters
Source: Elections BC[14][15]

References
  1. MacLellan, Julie (October 24, 2020). "Update: NDP wins New West, Queensborough ridings - and a likely majority government". New Westminster Record. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  2. Zussman, Richard (December 7, 2022). "Katrine Conroy in as finance minister as B.C. Premier David Eby names first cabinet". Global News. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  3. Bacchus, Patti (January 14, 2021). "Patti Bacchus: Meet B.C.'s new education minister, Jennifer Whiteside". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  4. "MLA: Hon. Jennifer Whiteside". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  5. McManus, Theresa (August 23, 2022). "B.C. announces "historic" investment in education in New Westminster". New Westminster Record. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  6. "Jennifer Whiteside". LinkedIn. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  7. "HEU announces new chief spokesperson". Hospital Employees' Union. April 2, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  8. McManus, Theresa (September 21, 2020). "Labour activist seeks NDP nod in New Westminster". New Westminster Record. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  9. "HEU's Whiteside to seek election as MLA for New Westminster in October 24 vote". Hospital Employees' Union. September 24, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  10. Zussman, Richard; Little, Simon (October 24, 2020). "B.C. election 2020: New Westminster results". Global News. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  11. "Premier John Horgan unveils B.C.'s 20-member cabinet". Globe and Mail. November 26, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  12. MacLellan, Julie (November 26, 2020). "Update: New Westminster's Whiteside 'up to the task' of education minister, says premier". New Westminster Record. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  13. "B.C. Premier David Eby unveils new cabinet with Niki Sharma, Katrine Conroy and Ravi Kahlon in top posts". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  14. "2020 Provincial General Election Final Voting Results". electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  15. "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
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