Premier's Liaison for the Pacific Northwest
Assumed office
April 19, 2023
Premier
Preceded by
Position created
Premier's Liaison to Washington State
In office
December 15, 2020 – April 19, 2023
Premier
Preceded by
Position created
Succeeded by
Position abolished
Parliamentary Secretary for Technology of British Columbia
In office
July 18, 2017 – November 26, 2020
Premier
Preceded by
Position created
Succeeded by
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Port Moody-Coquitlam
Assumed office
May 9, 2017
Preceded by
Personal details
Political party
Residence(s)
Rick Glumac is a software engineer, environmentalist, and Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2017 provincial election by defeating one-term Liberal Party MLA Linda Reimer.[1]
As an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for the British Columbia New Democratic Party, he represents the riding of Port Moody - Coquitlam, which encompasses the western part of the city of Coquitlam, the entire city of Port Moody, and the villages of Anmore and Belcarra.[1]
Glumac served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Technology for the Government of British Columbia until November 2020.[2][3] He has served as the provincial representative to the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, and will become president of PNWER in July 2023. In December 2020, he was appointed as Premier's Liaison to Washington State.[3] Glumac's position was expanded in April 2023 and he was appointed by David Eby to serve as Premier's Liaison for the Pacific Northwest.[4]
Glumac grew up in Port Alberni, BC. In 1995, he graduated with a degree in Electronics Engineering from Simon Fraser University.[5]
Glumac worked much of his career in the field of computer graphics as an Software Developer, FX Artist, and a Computer Graphics Supervisor.[6] He worked on the first computer-animated TV show ReBoot, and later worked for companies such as DreamWorks and Electronic Arts on well-known Hollywood films such as Shrek 2, Madagascar, and Over The Hedge.[6] Following this he worked as a software developer, developing apps for iPhone.[5]
Glumac was first elected to Port Moody City Council in 2011.[7] He was re-elected in 2014 with the highest vote share of any candidate.[8] On council he chaired various committees including [7] the Environmental Protection Committee and Economic Development Committee which recommended the hiring of an Economic Development Officer to grow the city's business tax base.
During his time as a Councillor, he served as the Vice President of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association.[5] Glumac was also elected as the Vancouver Metro Area Representative to the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). He has served on Metro Vancouver's Zero Waste Committee and on the Fraser Health Municipal Government Advisory Council.
As an MLA, he chaired the following legislative committees:
He vice-chaired the following committee:
He also served on the following legislative committees:
Glumac is credited with working with the B.C. Ministry of Health to protect the Eagle Ridge Hospital lands in Port Moody from being sold to private developers, stopping a plan by the BC Liberal government to condition new improvements to the hospital on the sale of the lands to private real estate developers.[13][14]
Glumac consistently speaks in the Legislature to promote action to protect B.C.’s environment.[15] In 2018, he spoke during the Legislature's emergency debate on climate change.[16] He is a key supporter of the province's CleanBC strategy of reducing climate pollution and promoting renewable energies, lowering the costs of renewable energies, and helping create green jobs.[15]
He is a staunch advocate for revitalizing Burrard Thermal, a former fossil fuel-powered power plant located on the Burrard Inlet into a home for clean technology or climate mitigation projects.[15]
As Parliamentary Secretary for Technology, Glumac championed innovation in the clean technologies as a tool for transitioning towards a green economy.[15] He has advocated support for BC's clean energy and tech sectors which play an increasingly important role in the provincial economy.
On May 11, 2022, Rick Glumac proposed[17] to his partner Haven Lurbiecki in the legislature, prior to question period. Rick is the first member of the legislative assembly to propose in the legislature and likely the first in Canada. Australian MP Tim Wilson proposed to his partner during a speech to Parliament in 2017.
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Expenditures
12,783
53.75
+6.06
$41,007.46
James Robertson
7,253
30.50
−9.70
$43,575.39
John Latimer
2,802
11.78
−0.33
$1,920.08
Brandon Fonseca
800
3.36
–
$250.00
Logan Smith
144
0.61
–
$0.00
Total valid votes
23,782
100.00
–
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Registered voters
Source: Elections BC[18][19]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Expenditures
11,754
47.69
+3.40
$64,112
9,910
40.20
−6.18
$65,386
Don Barthel
2,985
12.11
+3.92
$1,056
Total valid votes
24,649
100.00
–
Total rejected ballots
137
0.55
−0.08
Turnout
24,786
65.31
+6.56
Registered voters
37,950
Source: Elections BC[20][21]
Membership per the 2020 British Columbia general election on October 24, 2020, and subsequent by-elections.
