Jennifer Whiteside chosen as new interim BC NDP leader after David Eby resigned - Global News

Jennifer Whiteside has been chosen as the new interim leader of the BC NDP after David Eby resigned the position following the B.C. election.

Mike Farnworth will be House Leader and Niki Sharma will serve as Caucus Chair.

Speaking after the meeting at the legislature on Thursday, Whiteside said they understand that British Columbians sent them an important message after Saturday’s result.

“We have an incredible team who stand up for their communities every single day and we are ready to get to work to do the same thing across the province,” she said.

The caucus has been reduced to 28 members after going into Saturday’s election numbering 47, while the BC Conservatives have a crushing two-thirds majority with 63 seats.

Whiteside was first elected as the MLA for New Westminster in October 2024 and was re-elected in 2024 and 2026.

She is the Minister of Labour and previously served as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Minister of Education and Child Care.

And the new interim leader of the @bcndp is Jennifer Whiteside – Mike Farnworth will be House Leader and Niki Sharma will serve as Caucus Leader. pic.twitter.com/0fjmic2oA4

Previously, Geoff Meggs, who was chief of staff for the late former NDP premier John Horgan, said the next leader faces the “reputational challenge” of proving the party can be trusted with taxpayers’ money.