Honourable Jennifer Whiteside

Jennifer Whiteside was first elected as the MLA for New Westminster (now New Westminster-Coquitlam) in 2020.

Jennifer was appointed the Minister of Labour in November 2024. She previously served as Minister of Education, and most recently as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Jennifer was the chief spokesperson and lead negotiator for the Hospital Employees’ Union, where she fought for strong public healthcare and healthcare workers’ rights. She has dedicated her career to advocating for working people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked tirelessly to protect seniors and workers in nursing homes across the province.

While leading B.C.’s first campaign for a living wage, she fought to ensure that work lifts people out of poverty and allows them to support their families and fully participate in their communities.

Jennifer has worked for community organizations and labour unions at the provincial and national level, and in those roles has championed a wide range of social justice issues from accessible post-secondary education and affordable public childcare, to Medicare and health equity.

Jennifer was born and raised in New Westminster, holds a degree in History from Simon Fraser University, and is passionate about making life better for people in her city and across B.C.