Politics · Canada · 2 hrs ago
Jennifer Whiteside chosen as interim leader of B.C. NDP
The B.C. NDP caucus chose Jennifer Whiteside as its interim leader after David Eby stepped down.
Eby resigned after the party lost the election he had called, and its majority government fell from 47 seats to 28 in the initial count.
Whiteside is the MLA-elect for New Westminster-Coquitlam and previously worked as a chief spokesperson and lead negotiator for the Hospital Employees’ Union.
The party’s provincial council must still vote on the caucus recommendation under the NDP’s constitution.
The NDP will serve as the Official Opposition to the B.C. Conservative Party, which won 63 seats.
Whiteside said she wants to use her advocacy skills and ensure British Columbians know the party will stand up for them.
Jennifer Whiteside has been named interim leader of the BC NDP after the party’s defeat in the recent British Columbia election.
The caucus unanimously recommended her for the role at a meeting on Thursday.
The party’s provincial council must vote on the interim leader after considering the caucus recommendation.
Whiteside represents New Westminster-Coquitlam and previously served as labour, education, and mental-health and addictions minister.
Mike Farnworth was named house leader, and Niki Sharma was named caucus chair.
- Who
- Jennifer Whiteside, the MLA-elect for New Westminster-Coquitlam.
- What
- She was named interim leader of the BC NDP after a unanimous caucus recommendation.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 2026.
- Where
- British Columbia. The caucus meeting was held in person.
- Why
- The party chose an interim leader after David Eby stepped down following the NDP’s election defeat.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The BC NDP lost the election, and David Eby stepped down as party leader.
The NDP caucus unanimously recommended Jennifer Whiteside as interim leader and named Mike Farnworth house leader and Niki Sharma caucus chair.
The party's provincial council is required to vote on the interim leader.
- Interim leader
- Jennifer Whiteside
- Caucus recommendation
- Unanimous
- Riding
- New Westminster-Coquitlam
- House leader
- Mike Farnworth
- Caucus chair
- Niki Sharma
- NDP seats
- Fell from 47 to 28 in the initial count
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What people are saying
It is not an outcome I was necessarily expecting
We are very focused on making sure that British Columbians understand that we are standing for them, that we have their backs, and we will continue to do that work in the opposition caucus.