Claudia Chender is the leader of the Nova Scotia NDP and MLA for Dartmouth South.

Caucus Critic for: the Premier’s Office and Executive Council, Intergovernmental Relations, Trade, and L’Nu Affairs.

Claudia has a law degree from the University of Victoria and worked in business and publishing before running for office.

She was first elected in 2017 and became leader of the NSNDP in 2021. She is the first woman elected to lead the Official Opposition in Nova Scotia, and the fourth woman to lead the NSNDP, carrying on the legacy of Maureen MacDonald, Helen MacDonald, and Alexa McDonough. She has previously served as House Leader and Caucus spokesperson for Education, Justice, Status of Women, Economic Development, and Natural Resources and Renewables.

Claudia lives in the beautiful City of Lakes, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia with her three busy teens, husband Jamie, and their dog Digby.