Before entering politics, Simons worked as a child-protection social worker for the Ministry for Children and Family Development, as a financial assistance worker, and as the crime prevention coordinator for the Northwest Territories. He has been a consultant for the federal, Northwest Territories and First Nations governments in areas of law reform and child welfare.[3]
He served as the executive director of health and social development for the Sechelt Nation from 1997 until 2005. In this role he oversaw health, child welfare, alcohol and drugs, financial assistance and justice programs. He also negotiated funding for innovative preventative health and social services.[3]
In the legislature, Simons has served as chair of the Caucus Social Policy Committee, critic for Tourism, Sport and the Arts, and as critic for the Ministry for Children and Family Development.
He is rumoured to be one of thirteen provincial caucus members who forced the resignation of Carole James from her position as leader of the BC NDP.[5] James announced her resignation on December 6, 2010, after consulting with a group of caucus members opposed to her continued leadership.[6] Simons declared his candidacy in the subsequent leadership race on January 5, 2011,[7] but withdrew on April 7 and threw his support behind John Horgan.[8]
On November 26, 2020, he was appointed Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.[9] With the announcement of PremierDavid Eby's new cabinet on December 7, 2022, Simons was replaced in that role by Sheila Malcolmson,[10] and was instead named NDP caucus chair.[11] On September 1, 2023 he announced that he would not seek reelection in the next provincial election, and was succeeded by Randene Neill.[12]
Conservative change is from the combination of Progressive Conservative and Canadian Alliance vote.
Personal life
Simons is a cellist, whose musical credits include several tracks on Rise Against's 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture.[18] Simons and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson both perform on country-punk musician Slim Milkie's 2010 album Silverado;[18] Milkie, whose real name is Scott Scobbie, is Simons' partner.[19]
