[1][2] She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1982, before proceeding with graduate studies at the same institution specializing in education, exceptional learners, language acquisition, and public administration, receiving her Master of Arts degree in 1987.

[3][5] While the Liberals were the Official Opposition, she served in various critic roles, including children and families, health, attorney general, municipal affairs, and science, technology and research.

[15] She supported the Nelson Road Interchange project, which included the construction of ramps between Nelson Road and British Columbia Highway 91 in order to reduce the volume of heavy trucks on Westminster Highway; the project was completed in 2011.

[17] She faced scrutiny in 2014 for spending $120,000 on various items, including upgrading the speaker's desk for $48,000,[18] and for charging taxpayers for her husband's business class airfare to South Africa when he accompanied her to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

[24][25] In October 2019 she announced her decision not to contest the next provincial election;[5] she is the province's longest-serving female MLA.

[31] Reid was the 2004–2005 chair of the Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Partnership,[32] which aims to develop an inter provincial approach to preventing FASD.

[33] Reid has advocated for better drainage in Richmond and for the Nelson Road Interchange project, both of which have had positive effects on the agricultural community.

[36] Reid was the BC chair for the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and a director of the Garden City Hospice Society.

She was a founding member of the Richmond Chinatown Lions Club and was chair of the British Columbia Youth Parliament board from 1986 to 1991.