Lord God we think about all of our leaders, but today we pray especially for Hon. Linda Reid as she diligently works with others. Lord Jesus You know all things and You know what struggles Linda Reid is facing and what she will face in the future. We ask that You will give her daily strength by the mighty power of your Holy Spirit. May Linda know that people do care about her and appreciate her leadership. In the name of Jesus Christ we make this request know. Amen.
The Honourable Linda Reid, MLA for Richmond East, has built her reputation in the BC Legislative Assembly on her professional background in education, management and community service. Linda was first elected to provincial office in 1991 and has been re-elected to represent Richmond East ever since. Linda is the longest-serving MLA in the current parliament
Elected as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in June 2013, Linda offers a balanced perspective from her experience across multiple portfolios on both the government and opposition sides of the House. She is the Chair of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Canadian Region (2014-2017).
Linda served as Deputy Speaker from 2009 – 2013. She was also the Minister responsible for Early Childhood Development (2001 – 2005) and for Child Care (2005 – 2009), providing the perfect opportunity to apply her solid professional credentials to these critical areas of public policy. While in Opposition, she served as Caucus Chair and held numerous key critic and committee roles.
Linda’s volunteer record in the community demonstrates a lifelong commitment to public service that informs her distinguished record in government. From her beginnings as a First Aid Cadet with St. John Ambulance and as leader of young women in the Guiding movement, through to her participation as BC Chair for the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, as a Director of the Garden City Hospice Society, and as a founding member of the Richmond Chinatown Lions Club, Linda has made a positive difference. In 2012, Linda won the Ethel Tibbits Award for Community in recognition of her leadership in Richmond, and was honoured with the inaugural award for Outstanding Leadership by the BC Youth Parliament, an organization that Linda has been passionately involved with since 1986. She is also a Lions Club International Melvin Jones Fellow.
Linda is the recipient of three commemorative medals – the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Linda and her husband Sheldon live in Richmond East with their children Olivia and Will.