View source for Mike Farnworth

{{Short description|Canadian politician (born 1959)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[The Honourable]]
| name             = Mike Farnworth
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|MLABC|size=100%}}
| image            = Mike Farnworth.jpg
| caption          = Farnworth in 2017
<!-- Current positions -->
| office           = Minister of Transportation and Transit of [[British Columbia]]
| term_start       = November 18, 2024 
| term_end         = 
| premier          = [[David Eby]]
| predecessor      = [[Rob Fleming]]
| successor        = 
| office1          = [[Government House Leader (British Columbia)|Government House Leader of British Columbia]]
| term_start1      = November 18, 2024 
| term_end1        = 
| premier1         = David Eby
| predecessor1     = [[Ravi Kahlon]]
| successor1       = 
| term_start2      = July 18, 2017
| term_end2        = December 7, 2022
| premier2         = [[John Horgan]]<br>David Eby
| predecessor2     = [[Mike de Jong]]
| successor2       = Ravi Kahlon
| office3          = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly#Canada|Member]] of the<br />[[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]] <br /> for [[Port Coquitlam (provincial electoral district)|Port Coquitlam]]<br />{{small|([[Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain]]; 2005–2009)}}
| term_start3      = May 17, 2005
| term_end3        = 
| predecessor3     = [[Karn Manhas]]
| successor3       = 
| term_start4      = October 17, 1991
| term_end4        = May 16, 2001
| predecessor4     = ''Riding established''
| successor4       = Karn Manhas
| office5          = Dean of the [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]]
| term_start5      = October 24, 2020
| term_end5        = 
| predecessor5     = [[Linda Reid]]
| successor5       = 
<!-- Former positions -->
| office6          = [[Deputy Premier of British Columbia]]
| premier6         = {{plainlist|
* John Horgan
* David Eby
}}
| term_start6      = October 28, 2021
| term_end6        = November 18, 2024
| predecessor6     = [[Carole James]]{{efn|Office vacant from November 2020, until October 2021.}}
| successor6       = [[Niki Sharma]]
| office7          = Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of [[British Columbia]]
| premier7         = {{plainlist|
* John Horgan
* David Eby
}}
| term_start7      = July 18, 2017 
| term_end7        = November 18, 2024
| predecessor7     = [[Mike Morris (politician)|Mike Morris]]
| successor7       = [[Garry Begg]]
| office8          = Minister of Social Development and Economic Security of [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia]]
| premier8         = [[Ujjal Dosanjh]]
| term_start8      = November 1, 2000	
| term_end8        = June 5, 2001
| predecessor8     = [[Jan Pullinger]]
| successor8       = ''Position abolished''
| office9          = Minister of Health & Minister Responsible for Seniors of [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia]]
| premier9         = Ujjal Dosanjh
| term_start9      = February 29, 2000
| term_end9        = November 1, 2000
| predecessor9     = [[Penny Priddy]]
| successor9       = [[Corky Evans]]
| office10         = Minister of Employment and Investment & Minister Responsible for Housing of [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia]]
| premier10        = {{plainlist|
* [[Glen Clark]]
* [[Dan Miller (Canadian politician)|Dan Miller]]
}}
| term_start10     = February 18, 1998
| term_end10       = February 24, 2000
| predecessor10    = Dan Miller
| successor10      = [[Gordon Wilson (British Columbia politician)|Gordon Wilson]]
| office11         = Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing of [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia]]
| premier11        = Glen Clark
| term_start11     = January 6, 1997
| term_end11       = February 18, 1998
| predecessor11    = Dan Miller
| successor11      = [[Jenny Kwan]]
| birth_name       = 
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1959|7|23}}
| birth_place      = [[Bebington]], England<ref name="CPG">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKZDAQAAIAAJ&q=%22FARNWORTH,+MICHAEL+C,+B.A.+%28Port+Coquitlam%29+B.+Jul*****%22|author=P.G. Normandin|year=1996|title=The Canadian Parliamentary Guide|page=619}}</ref>
| residence        = [[Port Coquitlam]], [[British Columbia]], Canada
| party            = [[British Columbia New Democratic Party|BC NDP]]
| alma_mater       = [[Simon Fraser University]]
| occupation       = Politician
}}

'''Michael C. Farnworth''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|MLABC}} (born July 23, 1959) is a Canadian politician who has served as British Columbia's Minister of Transportation and Transit since 2024. A member of the [[British Columbia New Democratic Party]] (BC NDP), Farnworth represents the riding of [[Port Coquitlam (provincial electoral district)|Port Coquitlam]] in the [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]], where he is the NDP's [[House Leader|house leader]], and the [[Father of the House|dean of the Legislative Assembly]].

==Background==
Born in [[Bebington]], England,<ref name="CPG"/> Farnworth was raised in [[Port Coquitlam]], [[British Columbia]].<ref name="BCLeg41">{{cite web |url=https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members/41st-Parliament/Farnworth-Mike |title=41st Parliament Members at dissolution on September 21, 2020: Hon. Mike Farnworth |publisher=[[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]] |accessdate=2021-11-29 |archive-date=2022-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426081517/https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members/41st-Parliament/Farnworth-Mike |url-status=dead }}</ref> He attended [[Simon Fraser University]], earning a bachelor's degree in geography.<ref name="BCLeg41"/> Prior to entering elected office, Farnworth worked at [[CP Rail]], [[Gulf Oil]], and [[Mount Isa Mines]].<ref name="BCLeg36">{{Cite web|title=36th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 18, 2001: Hon. Michael Farnworth|url=https://www.leg.bc.ca/Pages/BCLASS-Legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Flegacy%2Fweb%2Fmla%2F36thparl%2Ffarnworth.htm|access-date=2021-11-29|publisher=Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|language=en|archive-date=2019-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820154630/https://www.leg.bc.ca/pages/bclass-legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Flegacy%2Fweb%2Fmla%2F36thparl%2Ffarnworth.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Farnworth has publicly acknowledged that he is gay. He has had a relationship with his partner, Doug, for over twenty five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/farnworth-enters-ndp-leadership-race-exits-closet-1.595507|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612160619/http://bc.ctvnews.ca/farnworth-enters-ndp-leadership-race-exits-closet-1.595507|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 12, 2015|title=NDP Leadership hopeful comes out of the closet as he announces his candidacy|publisher=[[CTV News]]|date=January 13, 2011|access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref>

==Political career==
After serving three terms on Port Coquitlam City Council<ref name="Leg">{{cite web|title=MLA: Mike Farnworth|url=http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/39thParl/farnworthM.htm|access-date=May 11, 2010|work=Member Biography|publisher=Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|archive-date=May 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528073425/http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/39thParl/farnworthM.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and working for [[Port Moody—Coquitlam (federal electoral district)|Port Moody—Coquitlam]] [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] [[Ian Waddell]],<ref name="BCLeg36"/> Farnworth ran for the BC NDP in the [[1991 British Columbia general election|1991 provincial election]], in which he was first elected [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) for [[Port Coquitlam (provincial electoral district)|Port Coquitlam]].<ref name="BCLeg41"/>

He was re-elected in [[1996 British Columbia general election|1996]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=1996 Statement of Votes – 36th Provincial General Election – May 28, 1996 |url=https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/1996-SOVGeneralElection.pdf|access-date=2021-11-29|publisher=[[Elections BC]]|language=en}}</ref> and was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing by [[Premier of British Columbia|Premier]] [[Glen Clark]] in January 1997,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/archive/pre2001/1997/0439.asp |title=Premier Clark Announces Cabinet Changes |publisher=Government of British Columbia |date=1997-01-06 |accessdate=2021-11-29 }}</ref> before becoming Minister of Employment and Investment and Minister Responsible for Housing in 1998.<ref name="Straight140302">{{cite news |url=https://www.straight.com/news/597596/mike-farnworth-enters-bc-ndp-leadership-race |title=Mike Farnworth enters B.C. NDP leadership race |publisher=The Georgia Straight |first=Charlie |last=Smith |date=2014-03-02 |accessdate=2021-11-29 }}</ref> Under Premier [[Ujjal Dosanjh]], Farnworth was named Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors in February 2000, before becoming Minister of Social Development and Economic Security in November that year.<ref name="Straight140302"/>

He ran in the redistributed riding of [[Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain]] in [[2001 British Columbia general election|2001]], but lost his seat amidst the party's province-wide wipeout.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2001 Statement of Votes – 37th Provincial General Election – May 16, 2001 |url=https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2001GEResults/2001-SOVGeneralElection.pdf|access-date=2021-11-29|publisher=[[Elections BC]]|language=en}}</ref> Following the election, Farnworth worked in the Balkans and Iraq for the U.S.-based [[National Democratic Institute]].<ref name="BCLeg41"/><ref name="Straight140302"/>

In the [[2005 British Columbia general election|2005 B.C. general election]], Farnworth sought to take back his old seat, defeating the one-term Liberal Party incumbent Karn Manhas, and winning the riding with 11,844 votes (48.14% of valid votes).<ref>{{Cite web|title=2005 Statement of Votes – 38th Provincial General Election – May 17, 2005 |url=https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2005GEResults/SOV-GEcomplete.pdf|access-date=2021-11-29|publisher=[[Elections BC]]|language=en}}</ref> In [[2009 British Columbia general election|2009]], he was re-elected to his fourth term in the recreated riding of Port Coquitlam with 54.71% of valid votes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2009 Statement of Votes – 39th Provincial General Election – May 12, 2009 |url=https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2009GE/2009-GE-SOV.pdf|access-date=2021-11-29|publisher=[[Elections BC]]|language=en}}</ref> He then ran in the [[2011 British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election|2011 NDP leadership election]] to replace outgoing leader [[Carole James]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1343337 |title=Farnworth jumps into the ring |publisher=[[CKNW]] |date=January 13, 2011 |archive-date=January 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116002303/http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1343337 |url-status=dead }}</ref> he lost to [[Adrian Dix]] after three rounds of voting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/adrian-dix-wins-b-c-ndp-leadership-1.1050132 |title=Adrian Dix wins B.C. NDP leadership |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=April 17, 2011 |access-date=November 29, 2021 }}</ref>

Farnworth was returned to the legislature in the [[2013 British Columbia general election|2013 B.C. general election]] with more than half of the riding's popular vote,<ref>{{Cite web|title=2013 Statement of Votes – 40th Provincial General Election – May 14, 2013 |url=https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2013GE/2013-GE-SOV.pdf|access-date=2021-11-29|publisher=[[Elections BC]]|language=en}}</ref> but the BC NDP lost the election despite favourable opinion polls leading up to the vote. Following Dix's resignation as party leader in September 2013,<ref>{{cite news|title=Adrian Dix resigns as B.C. NDP Leader|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/adrian-dix-expected-to-clarify-political-future-in-afternoon-announcement/article14396110/|access-date=September 18, 2013|newspaper=Globe and Mail|date=September 18, 2013}}</ref> both Farnworth and [[John Horgan]] formally announced their candidacies for the post in March 2014.<ref name="Straight140302"/> With a significant number of NDP MLAs backing Horgan<ref>{{cite news |title=15 NDP MLAs back Horgan but won't discuss Kwan |last=Austin |first=Ian |newspaper=The Province |location=Vancouver, BC |date=March 24, 2014 |page=A3}}</ref> (including [[Dawn Black]], [[Joe Trasolini]], and [[Fin Donnelly]], all figures from Farnworth's own [[Tri-Cities (British Columbia)|Tri-Cities]] area<ref>{{cite news |title=Trio of Tri-City NDPers back Horgan, not Farnworth, for leader |newspaper=The Tri City News |location=[[Coquitlam|Coquitlam, BC]] |date=April 4, 2014 |page=1}}</ref>), Farnworth withdrew from the leadership race in April, leaving Horgan the sole candidate.<ref>{{cite news |title=NDP's Horgan sole candidate for leadership as Farnworth drops out |last=Hunter |first=Justine |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=April 9, 2014 |page=S1}}</ref> After the deadline for nominations passed on May 1, Horgan was acclaimed leader of the BC NDP, and appointed Farnworth as opposition house leader.<ref>{{cite news |title=Port Coquitlam MLA gets opposition house leader post |newspaper=The Tri City News |location=[[Coquitlam|Coquitlam, BC]] |date=June 24, 2014 |page=1}}</ref>

Farnworth was re-elected MLA in the [[2017 British Columbia general election|2017 B.C. general election]] with more than 55% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statement of Votes – 41st Provincial General Election – May 9, 2017 |url=https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2017-election-report/pdf/2017-provincial-general-election-sov.pdf|access-date=2021-11-29|publisher=[[Elections BC]]|language=en}}</ref> In the subsequent NDP minority government, Farnworth was appointed Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.<ref>{{Cite news|title=BC NDP takes power: The big issues and the people John Horgan has appointed to handle them|publisher=[[The Globe and Mail]]|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bcs-new-ndp-government-takespower-as-horgan-appointscabinet/article35724661/|access-date=2021-01-09}}</ref> He retained the same cabinet posts in the NDP majority government following his re-election in [[2020 British Columbia general election|2020]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-cabinet-announcement-1.5816947 |title=New faces join B.C.'s new cabinet, while stalwarts stay on in key roles |first=Bethany |last=Lindsay |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=November 26, 2020 |access-date=November 29, 2021 }}</ref>

On October 28, 2021, Farnworth was appointed [[Deputy Premier of British Columbia]] by Premier [[John Horgan]], in the wake of an announcement that Horgan was to undergo throat surgery on October 29.<ref name="Judd 2021">{{cite web | last=Judd | first=Amy | title=B.C. Premier John Horgan to undergo surgery to remove growth in throat | website=Global News | date=October 28, 2021 | url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8332497/bc-premier-john-horgan-personal-news/ | access-date=October 28, 2021}}</ref> When Horgan stepped down as premier and was succeeded by [[David Eby]], Farnworth retained his portfolios in Eby's cabinet.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2022-12-07 |title=B.C. Premier David Eby unveils new cabinet of 23 ministers |work=[[CTV News]] |url=https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/b-c-premier-david-eby-to-reveal-new-cabinet-with-health-safety-housing-priorities-1.6184506 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207165350/https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/b-c-premier-david-eby-to-reveal-new-cabinet-with-health-safety-housing-priorities-1.6184506 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-07}}</ref>

While in Eby's cabinet, Farnworth, as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, introduced Bill 34, the ''Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act''. The Act faced a ''Charter'' challenge from the Harm Reduction Nurses Association (HRNA), and the court issued an injunction preventing the Act from being brought into force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harm Reduction Nurses Association v. British Columbia (Attorney General), 2023 BCSC 2290 |url=https://drugpolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Chief-Justice-Hinkson-re-Harm-Reduction-Nurses-Association-v.-British-Columbia-Attorney-General-12-29.pdf |website=Canadian Drug Policy Coalition}}</ref> The provincial government attempted to appeal this ruling, but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://assets.nationbuilder.com/pivotlegal/pages/1698/attachments/original/1709677735/BCCA_denying_BC%E2%80%99s_application_for_leave_to_appeal_and_request_for_a_stay_of_the_injunction_on_Bill_34.pdf?1709677735}}</ref> On the request of provincial officials, the federal government later revoked exemptions that allowed for public drug consumption in the first place, rendering the Act unnecessary; the province repealed the Act shortly thereafter, rendering the legal challenge moot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=His Majesty the King in right of the Province of British Columbia |date=2024-12-19 |title=Minister's statement on public drug use legislation |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024PSSG0093-001673 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=BC Gov News |language=en}}</ref>

==Electoral record==
{{2024 British Columbia general election/Port Coquitlam}}
{{British Columbia provincial election, 2020/Port Coquitlam}}
{{British Columbia provincial election, 2017/Port Coquitlam}}
{{British Columbia provincial election, 2013/Port Coquitlam}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=John_Horgan}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post1preceded = [[Mike Morris (politician)|Mike Morris]]
| post1         = Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
| post1years    = July 18, 2017–
| post1note     = 
| post1followed = Incumbent
}}
{{s-end}}

{{British Columbia MLAs}}
{{Deputy Premiers of British Columbia}}
{{Eby ministry}}
{{Horgan ministry}}
{{Dosanjh Ministry}}
{{Dan Miller Ministry}}
{{Glen Clark Ministry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Farnworth, Mike}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British Columbia New Democratic Party MLAs]]
[[Category:Canadian LGBTQ people in provincial and territorial legislatures]]
[[Category:English emigrants to Canada]]
[[Category:Canadian gay politicians]]
[[Category:People from Port Coquitlam]]
[[Category:Ministers of health of British Columbia]]
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council of British Columbia]]
[[Category:British Columbia municipal councillors]]
[[Category:Solicitors general of Canadian provinces]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]]
[[Category:Simon Fraser University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Bebington]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]]