Norman McFarlane is a Canadian businessman and politician. He was the 64th Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. He was first elected on May 10, 2004, and sworn into office on Tuesday, May 25. He was defeated in the 2008 New Brunswick municipal elections by Ivan Court.

Norm McFarlane
75th Mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick
In office
2004–2008
Preceded byShirley McAlary
Succeeded byIvan Court
MLA for Saint John Lancaster
In office
1999–2003
Preceded byJane Barry
Succeeded byAbel LeBlanc
Personal details
BornApohaqui, New Brunswick, Canada
Political partyIndependent (2004–2008) Note: Municipal politicians in Saint John run on a Nonpartisan basis
Other political
affiliations
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
Residence(s)Fundy Heights, Saint John, New Brunswick
ProfessionTax Broker

Born in Apohaqui, New Brunswick, McFarlane worked for Royal Insurance in Saint John from 1953 to 1993, retiring as Branch Manager. Following his retirement from Royal Insurance, he became a private insurance consultant for a number of years. In the 1999 election, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the provincial riding of Saint John Lancaster as a Progressive Conservative and shortly afterwards became the New Brunswick Minister of Labour. In 2000, he became minister for the new Department of Training and Employment Development, a portfolio which encompassed much of his old labour portfolio as well as some social welfare programs and community colleges.

McFarlane was defeated in the 2003 election and left the cabinet as a result. McFarlane lost his seat to Liberal Abel LeBlanc.

McFarlane promptly returned to politics in 2004 when he was elected mayor of Saint John by defeating incumbent Shirley McAlary by a margin of over 25%. Ironically, one of McAlary's key backers was Abel LeBlanc.

McFarlane faced severe and lasting criticism and allegations of corruption and incompetence for his role in granting Irving Oil tax concessions in 2005, concessions that have cost the City of Saint John approximately $75 million over ten years, with a potential total loss of over $180 million.[1][2]

New Brunswick provincial government of Bernard Lord
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
himself Minister of Training and Employment Development
2000–2003
McFarlane preceded himself as Minister of Labour
Margaret-Ann Blaney
Joan Kingston Minister of Labour
1999–2000
McFarlane succeeded himself as
Minister of Training & Employment Development
himself

References

edit
  1. ^ "CBC: Mayor defends tax deal with Irving". 16 March 2005. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  2. ^ "CBC: Irving made millions off deal to slash taxes on LNG property". 12 June 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.