Summary
Karla Michelle MacFarlane (born 1969)[1] is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election. A member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia, she represents the electoral district of Pictou West.[2] MacFarlane is a graduate of Husson University in Maine with an associate degree in Business Communications.[3] In 2016, MacFarlane was named "Legislator of the Year" at the non-profit Springtide Collective's Better Politics Awards.[4] She was re-elected in the 2017 provincial election.
Karla MacFarlane | |
|---|---|
 Karla MacFarlane in 2016 | |
| Speaker of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia | |
| In office October 12, 2023 – April 5, 2024 | |
| Premier | Tim Houston |
| Lieutenant Governor | Arthur J. LeBlanc |
| Preceded by | Keith Bain |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office January 24, 2018 – October 27, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Jamie Baillie |
| Succeeded by | Tim Houston |
| Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Pictou West | |
| In office October 8, 2013 – April 12, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Charlie Parker |
| Succeeded by | to be elected |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1969 (age 54–55) |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
MacFarlane was appointed interim leader of the Progressive Conservative party and Leader of the Opposition on January 24, 2018, when her predecessor, Jamie Baillie, was forced to resign due to allegations of inappropriate behaviour.[5] She was succeeded by Tim Houston on October 27, 2018.
On August 31, 2021, MacFarlane was made Minister of Community Services as well as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and the Office of L'nu Affairs.[6] The latter appointment caused backlash among some Nova Scotians as MacFarlane is white as well as the fact that the riding she represents has no First Nations communities.[7] She resigned from cabinet on September 14, 2023,[8] and was elected Nova Scotia's first female Speaker of the House on October 12, 2023.[9]
MacFarlane announced her resignation as Speaker the House of Assembly on April 5, 2024.[10] She resigned as an MLA one week later on April 12.[11][12] The provincial by-election to replace her is scheduled for May 21, 2024.[13]
MacFarlane has two children.[3]
Electoral record edit
| 2021 Nova Scotia general election | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Karla MacFarlane | 4,487 | 63.62 | +1.18 | ||||
| Liberal | Mary Wooldridge-Elliott | 1,510 | 21.41 | +4.94 | ||||
| New Democratic | Rick Parker | 872 | 12.36 | -6.40 | ||||
| Green | Clare Brett | 124 | 1.76 | -0.56 | ||||
| Independent | John A. Clark | 60 | 0.85 | |||||
| Total valid votes | 7,053 | 99.63 | ||||||
| Total rejected ballots | 26 | 0.37 | ||||||
| Turnout | 7,079 | 62.11 | ||||||
| Eligible voters | 11,398 | |||||||
| Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | -1.88 | ||||||
| Source: Elections Nova Scotia[14] | ||||||||
| 2017 Nova Scotia general election | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Karla MacFarlane | 4,333 | 62.44 | +22.34 | ||||
| New Democratic | Shawn McNamara | 1,302 | 18.76 | -15.53 | ||||
| Liberal | Ben MacLean | 1,143 | 16.47 | -9.14 | ||||
| Green | Cecile Vigneault | 161 | 2.32 | +2.32 | ||||
| Total valid votes | 6,939 | 100.0 | ||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Conservative | Karla MacFarlane | 3,026 | 40.10 | ||
| New Democratic Party | Charlie Parker | 2,588 | 34.29 | ||
| Liberal | Glennie Langille | 1,933 | 25.61 | ||
References edit
- ^ 62nd General Assembly archived bio Nova Scotia Legislature
- ^ "Tories take Pictou County ridings back from NDP". The Chronicle Herald. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "Karla MacFarlane - MLA for Pictou West - PC Party of NS". PC Party NS. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
- ^ "Local MLA, community group recognized for contributions | The News". www.ngnews.ca. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
- ^ "PC Leader Jamie Baillie forced out after allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour'". CBC News. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "New Cabinet to Deliver Solutions for Nova Scotians". August 31, 2021.
- ^ "Online petition calling for replacement of new Minister of l'Nu Affairs | SaltWire". Retrieved May 27, 2023.
- ^ "N.S. premier shuffles cabinet, appoints first Black woman". CBC News. September 14, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ "Twila Grosse, Karla MacFarlane make history at Province House". CBC News. October 12, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ "Karla MacFarlane announces retirement from Nova Scotia politics". CBC News. April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ Musick, Sueann (April 12, 2024). "Province commits funding to Salem Wastewater Project". Pictou County. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ "By-election Pending in Pictou West". Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Byelection called for May 21 in Nova Scotia's Pictou West riding". 650 CKOM. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ "Provincial General Election 2021-08-17- Official Results". Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 7, 2021.