Whiteside to serve as interim NDP leader

With outgoing Premier David Eby stepping down as party leader, New Westminster-Coquitlam MLA Jennifer Whiteside is set to pick up the reins.

The party officially named Whiteside interim leader Thursday following the unanimous recommendation of the caucus, according to a press release from the NDP.

“I’m pleased and humbled to have the support of our party and of my colleagues,” Whiteside stated in the release.

In an election that saw many NDP incumbents lose their seats as the Conservative Party cruised to victory, Whiteside held her riding by a wide margin, garnering 50 percent of the vote.

However, Whiteside acknowledged that the snap election backfired for the NDP.

“British Columbians sent us an important message, and we need to take the time to listen and learn from that,” she stated.

Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth is set to serve as house leader with Niki Sharma as caucus chair. Farnworth recently won his seventh consecutive election.

During his concession speech on election night, Eby said he accepted responsibility for the NDP MLAs who failed to win re-election.

“It is time for new leadership within our party,” he concluded.

Whiteside previously served as Minister of Labour, Minister of Education, and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. She has also worked as the lead negotiator for the Hospital Employees’ Union.