Helen MacDonald (Nova Scotia politician)

Helen MacDonald
Leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party
In office July 17, 2000 – April 24, 2001
Preceded by	Robert Chisholm
Succeeded by	Darrell Dexter
MLA for Cape Breton The Lakes
In office 1997–1999
Preceded by	Bernie Boudreau
Succeeded by	Brian Boudreau
Personal details
Born	New Waterford, Nova Scotia
Political party	NDP
Residence	Bras d'Or, Nova Scotia
Occupation	teacher, administrator

Helen MacDonald is a Canadian politician. She represented the electoral district of Cape Breton The Lakes in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1997 to 1999. She was a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party.

Born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, MacDonald was educated at the Nova Scotia Normal College and St. Francis Xavier University. She was a teacher and education administrator for 37 years.

A longtime NDP supporter, MacDonald first attempted to enter provincial politics in the 1988 election, finishing third in the Cape Breton-The Lakes riding behind Liberal Bernie Boudreau and Progressive Conservative incumbent John Newell. She ran again in the 1993 election, losing to Boudreau by more than 5200 votes, while edging out the Progressive Conservative candidate to finish second.

Following Boudreau's resignation as MLA, MacDonald ran in the byelection to replace him. On November 4, 1997, MacDonald won the byelection by 665 votes, becoming the first provincial New Democrat elected from Cape Breton since 1978. MacDonald was also the first woman MLA elected in Cape Breton. She was re-elected by 866 votes in the 1998 election, and served as caucus chairwoman and gaming critic. She was defeated when she ran for re-election in 1999, losing to Liberal Brian Boudreau by 101 votes.

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