13 Facts About Richard Neufeld

Richard Neufeld was born on November 6,1944 and is a former Canadian politician who served as a Senator for British Columbia from 2009 to 2019.

Richard Neufeld was previously a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, representing the electoral district of Peace River North from 1991 to 2009, and served as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in the cabinet of Premier Gordon Campbell.

Richard Neufeld worked as a truck driver, then became a district manager with Tompkins Contracting.

Richard Neufeld was an alderman on the Fort Nelson council from 1978 to 1981, then served as mayor from 1981 to 1986.

Richard Neufeld ran in the 1991 BC general election as a Social Credit Party candidate in Peace River North, receiving 5,758 votes in a field of five candidates to become the riding's member of the legislative assembly.

Richard Neufeld was one of only seven Socred candidates elected that year; with the formerly dominant Socreds collapsing, Neufeld defected to the BC Reform Party in March 1994.

Richard Neufeld was re-elected in Peace River North as a BC Reform candidate in the 1996 provincial election, receiving 5,299 votes in a field of six candidates.

Richard Neufeld was one of two BC Reform candidates to be elected, the other being party leader Jack Weisgerber.

Wilf Hanni succeeded Weisgerber as Reform leader in August 1997; following a conflict with Hanni, Richard Neufeld defected to the Liberals that October.

Richard Neufeld advocated for the increased use of coal power, and promoted allowing a scientific review of offshore oil and gas.

On December 22,2008, it was announced that Richard Neufeld would be appointed to the Senate of Canada on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, sitting as a Conservative.

Richard Neufeld assumed office on January 2,2009, and officially resigned as MLA and provincial cabinet minister on the 19th of that month.

Richard Neufeld served in a number of committees during his time in the upper house, including as vice-chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, and as chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.