Lisa Beare sets a new mark among women in NDP cabinets

Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows MLA Lisa Beare is among the longest-serving women appointed to NDP cabinets. She was education and child care minister when the NDP called a provincial election for Oct. 24. In July, Beare and fellow minister Lana Popham quietly marked becoming the women who had spent the most time as NDP ministers.

Beare called the unusually long service an honour and said the job was a privilege. First elected as an MLA in 2017, she was appointed minister of tourism, arts and culture by then-premier John Horgan. She won re-election in 2020 and became minister of citizens’ services. She has also held the post-secondary education and future skills portfolio. After the 2024 election, she was given education and child care. Beare said it has been the most personally gratifying portfolio; she first entered public office in 2014 as a school board trustee for the Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows board.

“It’s an amazing file for me,” she said. “I put my hand up 12 years ago to help protect public education.” She said the role lets her “give kids the opportunity to thrive.” Education and child care has the second-largest budget, with operating expenses of more than $10 billion.

Popham is not seeking re-election. The longest-serving woman in B.C.’s cabinet was Social Credit MLA Grace McCarthy, who served for more than 22 years.

While door-knocking in the community during the campaign, Beare said people approve of the NDP’s approach to U.S. President Donald Trump and the tariff war. “People are really appreciating the strong stance we’re taking — the Team B.C. approach,” she said. She said the provincial government needs to focus on the economy, keeping and creating jobs, and “standing strong against Trump.”

Beare said residents also raise education and health care, and the need to protect service levels. In her riding, she pointed to $240 million in capital investment for a new Pitt Meadows secondary school, a new Eric Langton Elementary school, and additions and renovations at other schools in the district.

On health care, Beare said the NDP has connected more people with a family doctor. She said 17 physicians in Maple Ridge are now accepting patients and pointed to the NDP government’s success in recruiting health-care professionals from the U.S. “People want us to focus on the services that matter to them,” she said.

Premier David Eby has been criticized for calling the election two years early. Beare said the province is at an important time in its history and that it is a time to ask the public about its priorities. “It’s always a good idea to ask the people of B.C. what they want for the future,” she said.