Karla Michelle MacFarlane (born April 29, 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]
