Stephanie McLean (politician)

Not to be confused with Stephanie McLean (model).

Stephanie Veronica McLean PC ECA MP is a Canadian politician and lawyer who has served as Secretary of State for Seniors since 2025. A member of the Liberal party, she has represented Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke in the House of Commons of Canada since the 2025 Canadian federal election.

The Honourable Stephanie McLean PC ECA MP
Photo of Stephanie McLean at her campaign office.
Secretary of State (Seniors)
Incumbent
Assumed office May 13, 2025
Prime Minister	Mark Carney
Preceded by	Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke
Incumbent
Assumed office April 28, 2025
Preceded by	Randall Garrison
Minister of Service Alberta
In office February 2, 2016 – June 18, 2018
Premier	Rachel Notley
Preceded by	Danielle Larivee
Succeeded by	Brian Malkinson
Minister of Status of Women
In office February 2, 2016 – June 18, 2018
Premier	Rachel Notley
Preceded by	Ministry Created
Succeeded by	Danielle Larivee
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Varsity
In office May 5, 2015 – January 2, 2019
Preceded by	Donna Kennedy-Glans
Succeeded by	Jason Copping
Personal details
Born	(1987-03-02) March 2, 1987 (age 38) Calgary, Alberta
Political party	Liberal (federal, since 2025)
Other political affiliations	Alberta NDP (provincial, until 2020)
Residence	Colwood, British Columbia[1]
Alma mater	Concordia University of Edmonton (B.A.) University of Calgary (J.D)
Occupation	Lawyer

McLean was previously elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as a member of the New Democratic Party in the 2015 Alberta general election representing Calgary-Varsity.^[2] She served as Minister of Status of Women and Minister of Service Alberta from February 2, 2016 to June 18, 2018.^[3]

Early life and education

McLean was born in Calgary, Alberta. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Calgary's law school.

Political career

McLean made history when she became the first Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to give birth while in office. She gave birth to a baby boy, Patrick, on February 12, 2016.^[4] McLean's pregnancy sparked questions around the logistics and rules of the Alberta legislature around pregnancy, maternity leave, and support for new parents in the legislature.^[5] An all-party committee was created with a mandate to review and make recommendations on maternity leave and making the Legislature more responsive to members' family obligations.^[6]

After serving in the Alberta Legislature, McLean moved to Colwood, British Columbia and returned to practicing law.

On March 31, 2025, she was named the Liberal candidate for the riding of Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke.^[1] She went on to win in the 2025 federal election, receiving 49.4% of the vote.

Electoral history

Federal elections

v t e 2025 Canadian federal election: Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke
** Preliminary results — Not yet official **
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Liberal	Stephanie McLean	36,123	49.37	+27.49
	Conservative	Grant Cool	21,014	28.72	+7.75
	New Democratic	Maja Tait	13,631	18.63	–24.60
	Green	Ben Homer-Dixon	1,952	2.67	–6.22
	Christian Heritage	David Schaafsma	159	0.22	N/A
	Independent	Param Bhatti	150	0.21	N/A
	Communist	Robert Crooks	136	0.19	–0.21
Total valid votes/expense limit
Total rejected ballots
Turnout			73,165	74.26
Eligible voters			98,530
	Liberal notional gain from New Democratic		Swing		+9.87
Source: Elections Canada[7][8]

Provincial elections

v t e 2015 Alberta general election: Calgary-Varsity
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	New Democratic	Stephanie McLean	8,297	43.94	+39.31
	Progressive Conservative	Susan Billington	5,700	30.19	-15.71
	Wildrose	Sharon Polsky	2,598	13.76	-12.45
	Liberal	Pete Helfrich	1,862	9.86	-10.62
	Green	Carl Svoboda	424	2.25	+0.92
Total valid votes			18,881	99.33	+0.03
Rejected, spoiled and declined			127	0.67	-0.03
Eligible voters / turnout			32,467	58.55	-1.30
	New Democratic gain from Progressive Conservative		Swing		+27.51
Source(s) "2015 Provincial General Election Results". Elections Alberta. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2017.

v t e Alberta provincial by-election, October 27, 2014: Calgary-Elbow Resignation of Alison Redford on August 6, 2014
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Progressive Conservative	Gordon Dirks	4,209	33.22	-24.87
	Alberta Party	Greg Clark	3,406	26.88	+24.20
	Wildrose	John Fletcher	3,061	24.16	-4.42
	Liberal	Susan Wright	1,523	12.02	+6.49
	New Democratic	Stephanie McLean	471	3.72	-0.23
Total			12,842	—	—
Rejected, spoiled and declined			23	22	2
Eligible electors / turnout			34,163	37.16	—
	Progressive Conservative hold		Swing		-24.53
Source(s) Alberta. Chief Electoral Officer (2015). Report on the October 27, 2014 By-elections in: Calgary-Elbow, Calgary-Foothills, Calgary-West, Edmonton-Whitemud (PDF) (Report). Edmonton: Legislative Assembly of Alberta; Chief Electoral Officer. ISBN 978-098653678-6. Retrieved April 20, 2021.