Richard Neufeld

The Honourable Richard Neufeld
Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
In office 1991–2008
Preceded by	Tony Brummett
Succeeded by	Pat Pimm
Senator from British Columbia
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2, 2009
Appointed by	Stephen Harper
Minister of Energy and Mines of British Columbia
In office June 5, 2001 – June 16, 2005
Premier	Gordon Campbell
Preceded by	Glenn Robertson
Succeeded by	Richard Neufeld
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources of British Columbia
In office June 16, 2005 – January 19, 2009
Premier	Gordon Campbell
Preceded by	Richard Neufeld
Succeeded by	Blair Lekstrom
Personal details
Born	November 6, 1944 Lethbridge, Alberta
Political party	Conservative
Other political affiliations	British Columbia Social Credit Party (1991-1994) Reform Party of British Columbia (1994-1997) British Columbia Liberal Party (1997-2008)

Richard Neufeld (born November 6, 1944) is a Canadian Senator for British Columbia. Before his appointment to the Senate, he was a British Columbia Liberal Party Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1991 to 2008, serving as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in the cabinet of Gordon Campbell.

Neufeld was first elected to the legislative assembly in the 1991 B.C. general election. He won the Peace River North riding as a member of the Social Credit party.^[1] He received 5,758 votes (54.79% of total valid votes) in a field of five candidates. Neufeld defected to the BC Reform Party following the electoral collapse of the SoCreds.

In the 1996 BC general election Neufeld was re-elected in the Peace River North riding as a member of the BC Reform party. He received 5,299 votes (48.41% of total valid votes) in a field of six candidates. BC Reform party was blamed for splitting the right-wing vote, and lost official party status after losing two of their four seats held prior to the 1996 election. Following a conflict with then BC Reform leader Wilf Hanni, Neufeld again switched parties. In October 1997 he joined the BC Liberal party. During this time in the Official Opposition he served as energy, mines and northern development critic.

In the 2001 general election Neufeld was again re-elected in the Peace River North riding as the BC Liberal candidate. He received 6,629 votes (73.22% of total valid votes) in a field of four candidates. Neufeld was appointed Minister of Energy and Mines on June 5, 2001 by Premier Gordon Campbell.

In his position as Minister, Neufeld was at the centre of the fray regarding the "re-regulation" of BC Hydro, which involves privatization of some of that Crown corporation. Neufeld has also advocated the increased use of coal power, and has promoted allowing a scientific review of offshore oil and gas. His term as Minister of Energy and Mines was marked by significant growth in the oil and gas, and mining sectors.

In the 2005 general election Neufeld was again re-elected in the Peace River North riding as the BC Liberal candidate. He received 5,498 votes (59.37% of total valid votes) in a field of four candidates. Neufeld was re-appointed Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources on June 16, 2005 by Premier Gordon Campbell.

Neufeld served on the Fort Nelson city council from 1978 to 1986, five of those years as mayor. He lives in Fort St. John.

On December 22, 2008, it was announced that Neufeld would be appointed to the Canadian Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He assumed office on January 2, 2009.

References

1. British Columbia Votes 2009: Peace River North. cbc.ca.