Heather McPherson (politician)

Heather McPherson MP (born May 9, 1972) is a Canadian politician who was elected to represent the riding of Edmonton Strathcona in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2019 Canadian federal election. She previously served as executive director of the Alberta Council on Global Co-operation.

McPherson attended the University of Alberta where she earned an undergraduate and master's degree in education. McPherson became the candidate for Edmonton Strathcona after incumbent Linda Duncan announced her intentions to retire. Straying from the party leadership's position, she supported the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. In the 43rd Canadian Parliament, which lasted from 2019 until the 2021 Canadian federal election was called, she was the only non-Conservative MP from Alberta.

She was re-elected in 2021, and was appointed the NDP critic for Foreign Affairs in the 44th Canadian Parliament. McPherson is known for pressing the Liberals to recognize Palestinian statehood, stating they lacked the "moral courage and political will" to advance a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel.

In the 2025 federal election, McPherson retained her seat in the Edmonton Strathcona riding. However, she was one of the few NDP members to return to Parliament, as the party lost the majority of its seats in the House of Commons—along with its official party status. This led to party leader Jagmeet Singh resigning and stepping down from his role. Despite the defeat, McPherson said that she will now focus on the Liberals living up to "the promises they made to Canadians," ensuring her party "will do that."