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Karla MacFarlane

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Karla MacFarlane
Karla MacFarlane in 2016
Speaker of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia
In office
October 12, 2023 – April 5, 2024
PremierTim Houston
Lieutenant GovernorArthur J. LeBlanc
Preceded byKeith Bain
Succeeded byDanielle Barkhouse
Leader of the Opposition
In office
January 24, 2018 – October 27, 2018
Preceded byJamie Baillie
Succeeded byTim Houston
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
for Pictou West
In office
October 8, 2013 – April 12, 2024
Preceded byCharlie Parker
Succeeded byMarco MacLeod
Personal details
Born1969 (age 54–55)
Political partyProgressive Conservative

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.

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  
2013 Nova Scotia general election
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]
  1. ^ 62nd General Assembly archived bio Nova Scotia Legislature
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ a b "Karla MacFarlane - MLA for Pictou West - PC Party of NS". PC Party NS. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "Local MLA, community group recognized for contributions | The News". www.ngnews.ca. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "PC Leader Jamie Baillie forced out after allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour'". CBC News. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  6. ^ "New Cabinet to Deliver Solutions for Nova Scotians". August 31, 2021.
  7. ^ "Online petition calling for replacement of new Minister of l'Nu Affairs | SaltWire". Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  8. ^ "N.S. premier shuffles cabinet, appoints first Black woman". CBC News. September 14, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "Twila Grosse, Karla MacFarlane make history at Province House". CBC News. October 12, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "Karla MacFarlane announces retirement from Nova Scotia politics". CBC News. April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  11. ^ Musick, Sueann (April 12, 2024). "Province commits funding to Salem Wastewater Project". Pictou County. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "By-election Pending in Pictou West". Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "Byelection called for May 21 in Nova Scotia's Pictou West riding". 650 CKOM. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  14. ^ "Provincial General Election 2021-08-17- Official Results". Elections Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 7, 2021.