Richard Neufeld (born November 6, 1944) is a former Canadian politician who served as a Senator for British Columbia from 2009 to 2019. He 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.
Background
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Neufeld was adopted by his parents from an orphanage, and grew up in the hamlet of Grassy Lake before moving to Fort St. John, British Columbia.
He and his wife Montana Currie have four children. He 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.
He was re-elected in Peace River North as a BC Reform candidate in the 1996 provincial election, receiving 5,299 votes (48.41% of total valid votes) in a field of six candidates. In this role, Neufeld was at the centre of the fray regarding the "re-regulation" of BC Hydro, which involves privatization of some of that Crown corporation. He also advocated for the increased use of coal power, and 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.
After winning re-election in 2005 by receiving 5,498 votes (59.37% of total valid votes) in a field of four candidates, He assumed office on January 2, 2009,
Honours
- He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Fort St. John on 24 June 2019, and formally received the honour on 26 November 2021.