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Jennifer Rice

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For the Edmonton City Councillor, see Jennifer Rice (Alberta politician).

Jennifer Rice
Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness of British Columbia
In office
July 18, 2017 – January 20, 2023
PremierJohn Horgan
David Eby
Preceded byNaomi Yamamoto (As Minister of Emergency Preparedness)
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for North Coast
In office
May 14, 2013 – September 21, 2024
Preceded byGary Coons
Succeeded byTamara Davidson
Prince Rupert City Councillor
In office
November 19, 2011 – June 10, 2013
Personal details
BornOttawa, Ontario, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic Party
SpouseAndrea
Children2
ResidencePrince Rupert, British Columbia
ProfessionBiological technician

Jennifer Rice is a Canadian politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the electoral district of North Coast in British Columbia from 2013 to 2024. A member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP), Rice was first elected in the 2013 provincial election and was re-elected in 2017 and 2020.

During her time in the 40th Parliament of British Columbia, Rice held the role of Critic for Northern and Rural Economic Development and served as Deputy Critic for Children and Family Development. She introduced one private member’s bill, the Drinking Water Protection (Safe Water for Schools) Amendment Act, which aimed to mandate regular testing of drinking water in schools.

Before entering provincial politics, Rice served for 18 months as a municipal councilor in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. She moved to Prince Rupert to attend the Coastal Ecology Program at Northwest Community College (now Coast Mountain College) and worked in various roles, including as a biological technician, a staff member at the T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation, and an instructor in scuba diving and kayaking.

Background

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Jennifer Rice was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. Following high school she worked at long-term care facilities and as an open water scuba diving and kayaking instructor. She moved to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, in 2003 to attend Coast Mountain College's applied coastal ecology program. She helped open the World Wildlife Fund's Prince Rupert office as a volunteer and a staff member.[1] She acted as chair of the non-profit organization called the Friends of Wild Salmon[2] and, in 2009, she went to work for the T. Buck Suzuki Foundation.[3] During this time she was a vocal opponent of the Northern Gateway project.[4][3][5] She was elected to the Prince Rupert city council in 2011 and was on council when they unanimously voted to oppose the Northern Gateway project.[6]

North Coast MLA Gary Coons announced his retirement in September 2012.[7] To replace him as the NDP candidate in the next election, Rice and teacher, and president of the Prince Rupert District Teachers Union, Joanna Larson put the names forward.[8] In the January 2013 nomination election, Rice defeated Larson. In the general election, Rice was challenged by Judy Fraser of the BC Liberal Party and college professor Hondo Arendt of the Green Party, though Rice was favoured to win.[9]

40th Parliament

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Entering the 40th Parliament of British Columbia Jennifer Rice was viewed as a MLA that provided the BC NDP with credibility on environmental issues.[10] She was assigned to be critic on rural and northern health and deputy critic to the Ministry of Children and Family Development[11] and appointed to the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth. In this critic role she toured rural BC, including stops in Clearwater, Ashcroft, Quesnel, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, as well as Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, to consult with healthcare service providers, advocates, and new parents using maternity care.[12] She also spent the third and fourth sessions on the Select Standing Committee on Health and the fifth session on the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

Rice was vocal in drawing attention to the Highway of Tears and, in particular, advocating for implementation of the recommendation from the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry for more transportation options along Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert. Despite the Inquiry's recommendation, the provincial government's Passenger Transportation Board approved a reduction of intercity bus service, provided by Greyhound Canada, along that route in 2013. Along with fellow NDP MLAs Carole James and Maurine Karagianis, Rice traveled the highway together advocating for shuttle bus service.[13][14] Over the next few years, the province committed funds to assisting communities in purchasing public transit vehicles, extending their routes towards Highway 16, and increasing the number of licensed drivers in First Nations.[15][16] Regular bus service was eventually implemented and began in 2017.[17]

In November 2014 Ms. Rice drew attention to the issue of charging passengers who use wheelchairs an extra $30 for a cabin on the Inside Passage and Haida Gwaii ferry routes, labelling the practice as unfair. In response Transportation Minister Todd Stone indicated he would reverse this practice.[18]

Concerning liquefied natural gas, several export facilities were proposed or undergoing environmental assessments within her riding. Rice opposed the development of the Petronas Pacific Northwest LNG facility on Lelu Island, with its proposed bridge over the Flora Banks to the shipping terminal, due to its anticipated impacts to the Skeena River salmon ecosystem.[19] Along with the region's other two NDP MLAs, Doug Donaldson of Stikine and Robin Austin of Skeena, she endorsed the signing of the Lelu Island Declaration by the Nine Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams[20] which called for permanent protection of Lelu Island and the Flora and Agnew Banks "as a refuge for wild salmon and marine resources",[21] though the Tsimshian First Nations objected to the signing of the declaration.[22] Rice expressed support of the development of an LNG facility within her riding given proper siting conditions.[23][24]

Rice introduced a private member's bill in April 2016, Drinking Water Protection (Safe Water for Schools) Amendment Act (Bill M-215) Archived August 20, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, which would require the regular testing of drinking water in schools.[25] The bill was in response to elevated lead levels found in Prince Rupert and Kitimat schools,[26] and had the support of the British Columbia Teachers' Federation.[27] The bill did not advance beyond the first reading, but the government still adopted a system of reminders for school districts to test for lead on an annual basis and report back to the Ministry of Education.[28] Independent MLA Vicki Huntington and political columnist Vaughn Palmer praised Rice for her work on drinking water safety.[29][30]

41st Parliament

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As the 2017 general election approached, Rice was acclaimed as the BC NDP candidate in the North Coast riding. She was challenged by former Prince Rupert mayor and community relations advisor (for a company seeking to build a LNG facility) Herb Pond for the BC Liberals and Hondo Arendt again for the BC Green Party. Rice was re-elected with over 50% of the vote. With Rice's BC NDP forming the government beginning with the second session of the 41st Parliament of British Columbia, Premier John Horgan appointed Rice to be the Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness within the Ministry of Public Safety.[31] With the resignation of local Member of Parliament Nathan Cullen, Rice was considered as a suitable NDP nominee, however she declined.[32] On January 20, 2023, Rice was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health.

On May 16, 2024, Rice announced she would not be seeking a fourth term in the Legislature.[33]

Electoral record

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2020 British Columbia general election: North Coast
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Jennifer Rice 4,544 72.82 +15.52 $20,456.05
Liberal Roy Jones Jr. 1,429 22.90 −10.78 $10,919.11
Libertarian Jody Craven 267 4.28 – $0.00
Total valid votes 6,240 98.35 –
Total rejected ballots 105 1.65 +0.48
Turnout 6,345 40.45 -20.71
Registered voters 15,686
New Democratic hold Swing +13.15
Source: Elections BC[34][35]
2017 British Columbia general election: North Coast
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Jennifer Rice 5,242 57.30 +0.58 $32,367
Liberal Herb Pond 3,081 33.67 +0.6 $60,058
Green Hondo Arendt 826 9.03 −1.18 $945
Total valid votes 9,149 100.00
Total rejected ballots 44 0.48
Turnout 9,193 61.16
Registered voters 15,030
Source: Elections BC[36]
2013 British Columbia general election: North Coast
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Jennifer Rice 4,617 56.72 −0.61 $67,356
Liberal Judy Fraser 2,692 33.07 −1.91 $46,272
Green Hondo Arendt 831 10.21 +2.52 $346
Total valid votes 8,140 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 51 0.62
Turnout 8,191 52.85
New Democratic hold Swing +0.65
Source: Elections BC[37]

References

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  1. ^ Vassallo, James (February 1, 2007). "WWF looking forward to new chapter locally". Daily News. Prince Rupert, British Columbia. p. 3.
  2. ^ Schierer, Rikki (January 27, 2010). "Spill raises concern". Houston Today. Houston, British Columbia. p. 15.
  3. ^ a b Paterson, Josh; Lash, Jen; Skuce, Nikki; Amos, Gerald (April 22, 2010). "Coastal waters are no place for oil tankers". The Vancouver Sun. p. A15.
  4. ^ Rice, Jennifer (December 12, 2008). "This project makes no sense to me". Daily News. Prince Rupert, British Columbia. p. 9.
  5. ^ Hume, Mark (December 11, 2012). "Anti-Gateway rally shines light on marine mishaps". The Globe and Mail. p. S2.
  6. ^ "Prince Rupert is latest north coast city to oppose Enbridge Northern Gateway". Prince George Citizen. Prince George, British Columbia. February 29, 2012. p. 7.
  7. ^ "North Coast MLA won't run again". Prince George Citizen. Prince George, British Columbia. September 8, 2012. p. 8.
  8. ^ Perry, Martina (November 22, 2012). "Individuals seeking NDP nomination revealed". The Northern View. Black Press. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  9. ^ Baxter, Malcolm (March 27, 2013). "Read all about it - the NDP will win". Terrace Standard. Terrace, British Columbia. p. 1.
  10. ^ "12 notable new faces in Victoria". The Vancouver Sun. May 15, 2013. p. A11.
  11. ^ "Skeena NDP MLA Robin Austin gets new critic portfolio". Terrace Standard. Terrace, British Columbia. June 14, 2013. p. 1.
  12. ^ McNeill, Keith (April 5, 2016). "NDP health critic looks at rural maternity care". The Times. Clearwater, British Columbia.
  13. ^ "NDP MLAs to travel B.C. Highway of Tears". The Georgia Straight. April 21, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  14. ^ Maisey, Steven (April 30, 2014). "A call for action". Lakes District News. Burns Lake, British Columbia. p. 1.
  15. ^ Nielsen, Mark (March 15, 2014). "B.C. Liberals ignoring northern women, NDP says". Prince George Citizen. Prince George, British Columbia. p. A1.
  16. ^ Robinson, Matthew (December 15, 2015). "B.C. to spend $3 million on transportation safety; Critics say the money is not nearly enough to help". The Vancouver Sun. p. A4.
  17. ^ "'A long time coming': Highway of Tears gets 2 new bus routes". CBC News. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  18. ^ "UPDATE: Rice receives written confirmation of changes to wheelchair cabin policy - Prince Rupert Northern View". Prince Rupert Northern View. November 27, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  19. ^ Leyne, Les (January 26, 2016). "NDP MLAs sign anti-LNG declaration". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. A8.
  20. ^ Rice, Jennifer (January 23, 2016). "Support for your efforts to protect Skeena River wild salmon" (PDF). Letter to Lax Kw’alaams hereditary chiefs, elected councils and members. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  21. ^ "The Lelu Island Declaration" (PDF). Friends of Wild Salmon. January 24, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  22. ^ "Lelu Island Declaration Made Without Tsimshian Nations' Support". Market Wired, January 25, 2016.
  23. ^ Hunter, Justine (April 22, 2017). "Clark highlights hopes for LNG: BC Liberal Leader blasts rival NDP for platform that she says will kill fledgling industry in resource-dependent areas". The Globe and Mail. p. A6.
  24. ^ "Election 2017: Parties square off on LNG". Penticton Western News. Penticton, British Columbia. May 6, 2017.
  25. ^ Rice, Jennifer (April 7, 2016). MLA Rice introduces Bill for routine water testing (Speech). 40th Parliament of British Columbia - 5th session. Victoria, British Columbia. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  26. ^ Kines, Lindsay (February 19, 2016). "Province failed to act on lead in school water, B.C. NDP says". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. A4.
  27. ^ Sherlock, Tracy (April 9, 2016). "BCTF urges province to test school water for lead". The Vancouver Sun. p. A19. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  28. ^ Campbell, Kevin (June 6, 2016). "Rupert schools to be tested regularly for lead levels - Prince Rupert Northern View". Prince Rupert Northern View. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  29. ^ Huntington, Vicki (May 28, 2016). "North Coast MLA deserves kudos". The Vancouver Sun. p. B4.
  30. ^ Palmer, Vaughn (April 27, 2016). "NDP's eby stands out as effective inquisitor; MLA leads the Opposition in debates on transit, housing". The Vancouver Sun. p. A9.
  31. ^ Shaw, Rob (July 19, 2017). "Cabinet stocked with Metro MLAs; NDP taps Vancouver power base to fill critical government roles". The Vancouver Sun. p. A1.
  32. ^ Link, Rod (March 13, 2019). "NDP to start candidate search". Terrace Standard. Terrace, British Columbia.
  33. ^ Barker, Thom (May 16, 2024). "North Coast MLA Jen Rice retires from provincial politics". The Northern View. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  34. ^ "2020 Provincial General Election Final Voting Results". Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  35. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  36. ^ "Statement of Votes – 41st Provincial General Election – May 9, 2017" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  37. ^ "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
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