Jennifer Whiteside named interim leader of BC NDP following election defeat

VICTORIA — Former cabinet minister Jennifer Whiteside has been selected as the interim leader of the BC NDP following the party’s significant defeat in last weekend’s provincial election.

Whiteside, who most recently served as labour minister in the outgoing NDP government, will take on the role with the unanimous support of the party’s incoming caucus. She previously held several senior cabinet positions, including minister of education and minister of mental health and addictions.

The longtime New Westminster-Coquitlam MLA said she is “pleased and humbled” to accept the interim leadership position as the party begins rebuilding after its election loss.

As part of the caucus leadership team, Whiteside announced that veteran MLA Mike Farnworth will serve as house leader, while Niki Sharma has been named caucus chair.