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Heather McPherson

Heather McPherson is a Canadian politician and New Democratic Party (NDP) member of Parliament for Edmonton Strathcona, Alberta.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Heather McPherson is a Canadian politician and New Democratic Party (NDP) member of Parliament for Edmonton Strathcona, Alberta. First elected in 2019, she has been re-elected in subsequent federal elections and served in several caucus and critic roles. In 2026, she ran for the federal NDP leadership and finished second.

Early life and education

Heather McPherson was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Public profiles say she studied at the University of Alberta and completed a master’s degree in education-related studies.

Political career

McPherson entered the House of Commons in 2019 as the MP for Edmonton Strathcona and was re-elected in later federal elections. Parliamentary profiles identify her as an NDP MP representing Alberta.

Parliamentary roles

Public sources describe McPherson as having served in party and critic roles, including as foreign affairs critic. Media coverage also notes her work on issues such as international affairs and Alberta-related federal policy.

2026 NDP leadership race

McPherson entered the 2026 federal NDP leadership contest. Reports say she finished second in the first round behind Avi Lewis.

Key facts

  • Heather McPherson is the NDP MP for Edmonton Strathcona, first elected in 2019.
  • She has served as the NDP critic for foreign affairs and international development.
  • McPherson ran in the 2026 NDP leadership election and placed second in the first round.
  • She has been described as the only non-Conservative MP from Alberta at times during her tenure.
  • Her parliamentary work includes international affairs and Alberta-related federal policy.
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Canadian context

She is a federal Member of Parliament representing an Alberta riding, so her career is directly relevant to Canadian federal politics and NDP parliamentary activity.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Heather McPherson?
She is a Canadian NDP politician and the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Strathcona.
When was Heather McPherson first elected?
She was first elected to the House of Commons in the 2019 federal election.
What party does Heather McPherson belong to?
She is a member of the New Democratic Party (NDP).
What riding does Heather McPherson represent?
She represents Edmonton Strathcona in Alberta.
Did Heather McPherson run for NDP leader?
Yes. She ran in the 2026 federal NDP leadership election and placed second in the first round.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_McPherson_(politician)
    Supports: Birth date, political affiliation, riding, first election, and 2026 NDP leadership result.
  2. House of Commons of Canada — https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/heather-mcpherson(105689)
    Supports: Official MP profile, constituency, province, and party affiliation.
  3. OpenParliament — https://openparliament.ca/politicians/heather-mcpherson/
    Supports: MP status, riding, and 2025 election result.
  4. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/edmonton-mp-heather-mcpherson-enters-ndp-leadership-race-1.7645303
    Supports: Her entry into the 2026 NDP leadership race.
  5. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/lone-alberta-ndp-mp-heather-mcpherson-edmonton-1.5592930
    Supports: Her role as Alberta's lone NDP MP and parliamentary critic roles.
  6. Alberta Council for Global Cooperation — https://www.acic-caci.org/symposium-speakers-25/heather-mcpherson
    Supports: Background, education, prior nonprofit work, and parliamentary roles.