Jennifer Whiteside is a Canadian politician and trade unionist who has served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) since 2020. A member of the New Democratic Party, she was first elected in the electoral district of New Westminster. After the districtâÂÂs redistribution in 2024, she was re-elected in the newly formed electoral district of New Westminster-Coquitlam. She has served in Cabinet since 2020 under both Premier John Horgan and David Eby.
Born and raised in New Westminster, Whiteside went to New Westminster Secondary School before finishing secondary studies at Burnaby South. She then attended Douglas College before enrolling at Simon Fraser University, graduating with a degree in history.
Prior to entering politics, Whiteside held a variety of positions within the labour movement. She had worked as a researcher with the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) in BC, the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Conseil provincial des affaires sociales in Quebec, before re-joining the HEU in 2015 as secretary-business manager, also covering duties including chief spokesperson and lead negotiator.
With incumbent Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for New Westminster Judy Darcy declining to seek re-election in 2020, Whiteside decided to contest the BC NDP nomination for the riding. After securing the nomination, she was elected MLA for New Westminster on October 24, 2020 with 60% of the popular vote.
On November 26, 2020, Whiteside was appointed Minister of Education in the second cabinet of Premier John Horgan. On December 7, 2022 she was named Minister of Mental Health and Addictions by Premier David Eby.
In the 2024 British Columbia general election, she stood in the new district of New Westminster-Coquitlam.