MacFarlane finds joy in all accomplished goals

“One of my biggest goals achieved (in 2022) was to make sure the deCoste Centre (for Arts and Creativity) received the support to move forward with their plans,” she said. “I was just so happy. (deCoste staff and volunteers) worked so hard.”

Along with the more than five year deCoste Centre project, MacFarlane assisted in securing necessary funding for the Pictou County Wellness Centre and Hector Arena so both could maintain operations and make improvements where needed.

A great source of pride for MacFarlane is her involvement with the implementation of a food bank location in River John.

“I have to say, it was very important that River John has that access,” she said. “All of (her accomplished goals) bring great joy, and different meaning.”

Over $600,000 was secured to establish a new building in River John that will house more than just the food bank. The building will include an operational kitchen and space to hold women’s groups, 4-H groups and other large gatherings. The building also contains rooms to hold clinics with doctors.

“I think it’s something to be very excited about,” she said.

The new building embraces a hub model, creating a space where people can receive the vital services offered by the food bank and attend community gatherings.

“The reality is that many hard working Nova Scotians can’t afford the high costs of living,” she said.

Removing the stigma surrounding the utilization of services like food banks is another goal MacFarlane continues to work on.

This year also saw a project MacFarlane has been invested in since 2013 come to fruition. After years of working toward establishing a skateboard park in the county, the goal was finally achieved.

“It’s completed, and now it brings much joy to see all demographics enjoying it,” she said.

While MacFarlane was focused on accomplishing short-term goals for the local community, she continued working toward completing long-term goals that impact the broader community.

This year saw large strides taken to strengthen governments relationship with the First Nation communities. Bill 148 – the Mi’kmaw Language Act – recognizes the first language of Nova Scotia.

“It’s not the official language, but it is the first,” said the MLA.

All parties were in support of the bill, which she said she is thankful for.

“This is just one step closer to building a strong relationship,” she said. The official acknowledgment is intended to move the province to a more diverse place where differences are embraced. It’s a piece of legislation that is historic for Canada.

The newly founded committee will meet in the new year for the first time, discussing ways to improve implementation and acknowledgement.

Another initiative MacFarlane has played a role in is the strides taken toward ending gender-based violence in Canada. A few months ago, a national initiative was announced, painting the path forward toward a country where no one lives in a world of violence. Between the federal and provincial governments, $9 million has been allocated for various projects working on the initiative.

With that comes increased funding for women’s centres, transition houses, training for staff, for responses to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and for programming for young men such as the Guys Work program currently in some schools.

“We were never investing enough in our boys and young men,” said MacFarlane. “Someday I hope we can get it in all the schools across the province.”

MacFarlane also mentioned that a three-day leave for those experiencing domestic violence has been implemented.

Health care has been at the forefront of local government’s goals for some time. It’s a long-term, ongoing endeavour.

“We never stop working and trying to improve health care,” said MacFarlane. “We know there’s a lot of work that needs to be done and were going to keep working hard. If you don’t have your health, what do you have?”

As we enter 2023, one focus for the local community is obtaining more dialysis beds for the number of patients in need in the area. As it stands now, many patients are having to travel outside the county to receive their necessary treatments.

The over-arching challenge of the next year will be facing the affordability crisis as local officials continue to invest in Nova Scotians.

“Poverty’s a real thing and we need to address it,” said MacFarlane, adding she plans to continue to build a Nova Scotia where people can thrive, having the resources they need to build meaningful lives.