She was a BC Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, from 1996 to 2009, representing the riding of North Vancouver-Lonsdale.
Whittred was first elected in 1996, defeating one-term NDP MLA and well known political commentator David Schreck.
In 2009, Whittred was appointed Deputy Speaker for the last sitting of the Legislature before that year's election.
In March 2006, Whittred introduced a Motion in the Legislature to abolish the practice of mandatory retirement.
In May 2007, Bill 31 was passed, which amended the Human Rights Code to eliminate mandatory retirement based on age.