First female Speaker of the Nova Scotia legislature retiring from politics

CITYnews halifax / By The Canadian Press

HALIFAX — The first female Speaker of the Nova Scotia legislature is leaving politics.

In a post made to social media today, Karla MacFarlane says she will retire in the coming weeks after 11 years in the provincial legislature and six months as Speaker.

MacFarlane, who also served as interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 2018, was first elected to represent the riding of Pictou West in 2013.

She says her focus now is to spend time with her family and friends and to “invest in my wellbeing” as she looks forward to a new chapter in her life.

Premier Tim Houston issued a statement thanking MacFarlane for her “wisdom, kindness and friendship” and lauded her integrity as a member of the legislature.

MacFarlane also served as minister of community services before becoming Speaker in October 2023.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2024.

The Canadian Press