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Byelection called for May 21 in Nova Scotia's Pictou West riding

HALIFAX — Residents of the central Nova Scotia riding of Pictou West will be heading to the polls in a byelection next month to fill the seat left vacant by the retiring Speaker of the House.
Canadian Press
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Elections Nova Scotia has called a byelection in Pictou West for late May to fill the position left open by the retiring Speaker of the House. A sign marking a polling station is seen in Halifax on Nova Scotia's provincial election day, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

HALIFAX — Residents of the central Nova Scotia riding of Pictou West will be heading to the polls in a byelection next month to fill the seat left vacant by the retiring Speaker of the House. 

Premier Tim Houston issued a statement Sunday saying the byelection will be held on May 21. 

Progressive Conservative Karla MacFarlane, Nova Scotia’s first female Speaker of the House, announced her decision to leave politics on April 5. 

She announced her retirement after 11 years in the legislature and six months as Speaker. 

MacFarlane, who also served as interim leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 2018, won the riding away from the NDP who held the seat between 2003 and 2013.

The riding spans western Pictou County to River John in the central part of the province.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2024.

The Canadian Press