Randene Neill MLA (born 1968 or 1969) is a Canadian politician who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2024 general election, representing the electoral district of Powell River-Sunshine Coast.[2] A member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party, she currently serves in the cabinet of Premier David Eby as Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

Early life and career

Born in Vernon, British Columbia,[3] Neill graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1991 with a bachelor of arts,[4] then studied at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, graduating in 1996.[5] She joined Vancouver's CTV affiliate BCTV in 1998 as a news writer and reporter,[5][6] and was named noon news anchor when the station became Global BC in 2001. She became the station's late news anchor in 2011,[7] then moved to the morning news before leaving Global in 2016 to work as a communications director with Anthem Properties.[8][9][10][11] She joined all-news radio station CKWX in 2021 as morning co-anchor,[11] then left in 2022 after a ten-month stint.[12]

She is well known for a viral video during her time on Global. During an animal adoption segment, one of the shelter dogs jumped on her and licked her face rigorously, while the other dog ran around.[6][13] She has her own pet dog, and has been a longtime supporter of the BC SPCA.

She currently lives with her husband in the Garden Bay area of Pender Harbour, having moved there part time in 2017 and full time in 2020.[1]

Political career

With incumbent Powell River-Sunshine Coast member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Nicholas Simons declining to seek re-election in 2024, Neill sought the British Columbia New Democratic Party nomination for the riding. Four other candidates ran against her for the nomination: Amanda Amaral (School District 46 board chair), Darnelda Siegers (former mayor of Sechelt), Jacquie Shields (Teachers Association President) and Jäger Rosenberg (who was the youngest person to ever legally run for office in Canada, being 17 at the time of the vote).[14][15] The nomination process took place on June 8, 2024, using ranked ballot voting, with Neill winning on the fourth round of counting.[6][16] She was elected the riding's MLA in that October's provincial election,[17] and was appointed Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship by Premier David Eby on November 18, 2024.[18][19]

Neill has expressed support for a proposed name change of the City of Powell River, which was requested by the Tla’amin Nation due to the assimilationist policies of Israel Powell, B.C.'s superintendent of Indian affairs from 1872 to 1889.[20]

Electoral record

2024 British Columbia general election: Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Randene Neill 14,473 49.6%
Conservative Chris Moore 10,410 35.7%
Green Chris Hergesheimer 3,930 13.5%
Independent Greg Reid 356 1.2%
Total valid votes 29,169 –
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Registered voters
Source: Elections BC[21]

References

  1. ^ a b "Meet the candidate: Randene Neill, BC NDP". Coast Reporter. October 11, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "BC election night: BC NDP's Randene Neill wins Powell River-Sunshine Coast". The Peak. October 20, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  3. ^ "Randene Neill". Global News. September 3, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  4. ^ "UBC Reports" (PDF). University of British Columbia. October 5, 2006. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Randene Neill Leaving Global News". Puget Sound Radio. October 19, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Ruttle, Joseph (June 9, 2024). "Former Global B.C. newscaster Randene Neill nominated for B.C. NDP". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "Global BC Announces New Co-Anchors for News Hour Final". Broadcaster Magazine. November 21, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  8. ^ "Revolving Door". Broadcast Dialogue. October 20, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  9. ^ Darbyshire, Peter (October 28, 2016). "New anchor named at Global BC as Steve Darling and Randene Neill leave". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "Global BC anchor Randene Neill announces departure". Global News. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "The Weekly Briefing". Broadcast Dialogue. November 11, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  12. ^ "Revolving Door". Broadcast Dialogue. September 8, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "Randene Neill's surprise reunion with Ginger the kissing pit bull | Watch News Videos Online".
  14. ^ "Five Coasters considering seeking BC NDP nomination for Powell River-Sunshine Coast". Coast Reporter. February 6, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  15. ^ "When will the Sunshine Coast-Powell River riding see more candidates?". Coast Reporter. May 9, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  16. ^ Thomas, Sandra (June 8, 2024). "Randene Neill wins Powell River-Sunshine Coast NDP MLA nomination after close vote". Coast Reporter. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Copp, Jordan (October 20, 2024). "'We have to reach out to everybody, be inclusive': BC NDP's Neill gives victory speech". Coast Reporter. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  18. ^ "Cabinet position 'a privilege': Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA". Coast Reporter. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "David Eby Cabinet: 2022-Present" (PDF). Legislative Library of British Columbia. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  20. ^ "Randene Neill wins Powell River-Sunshine Coast NDP MLA nomination after close vote". Coast Reporter. June 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  21. ^ https://globalnews.ca/news/10779068/bc-election-2024-results-powell-river-sunshine-coast/
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randene_Neill
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