Neill was adopted as a child by two farmers in the BC interior. She currently lives with her husband in the Garden Bay area of Pender Harbour, having moved there part time in 2017 and full time in 2020.[2] She is a communications consultant and was former television news journalist for Global BC for over 20 years.[2][3][4]
She is well known for a viral video during her time on Global. During a segment trying to get shelter dogs adopted, one of the dogs began jumping on her and licking her face very rigorously, while the other dog ran around.[5] She has her own pet dog, and has been a longtime supporter of the BC SPCA.
Political career
Neill won the BC NDP nomination after a hotly contested nomination race. Four other candidates ran against her for the nomination, Amanda Amaral (School District 46 board chair), Darnelda Siegers (former mayor of Sechelt), Jacquie Shields (Teachers Association President) and Jäger Rosenberg (who was the youngest person to ever legally run for office in Canada, being 17 at the time of the vote). Richard Feehan (former Minister in Alberta) also initially put his name forward, but dropped out before voting took place. The nomination process took place on June 8, 2024, using ranked ballot voting, with Neill winning on the 4th round of counting. She was endorsed by incumbent BC NDP MLA Nicholas Simons.[6][7]
