Diana Whalen, MLA for Halifax Clayton Park since 2003, has a history of winning tough battles. Her first political experience came in 2000, when she defeated an incumbent to win a seat on Halifax Regional Municipality Council. When she moved to provincial politics, she again won the seat from an incumbent MLA.
Even before that, though, Diana had been taking on tough battles as a volunteer in her community. After moving to Clayton Park in 1990, Diana was involved in community organizations dedicated to improving services in the fast-growing area. As Councillor, she worked with the community and municipal and provincial staff to achieve a plan for the replacement – and not just a temporary ‘fix’ – of the old and inadequate Halifax West High School. 
Since 2003, she has been a strong advocate for her constituents, and an effective MLA. She championed the fight to preserve the Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area, which culminated in the area gaining protection in the fall of 2007. The fast growing area needs improved recreation, and Diana is working with the community to achieve a world-class recreation centre on the Mainland Common.

In the Legislature, Diana has an impressive track record as a critic and advocate. In addition to being Deputy Leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, she is critic in the key areas of Finance and Immigration, as well as Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, the Advisory Council on the Status of Women and for the Insurance Act. She serves on the Public Accounts Committee, the Economic Development Committee, the Law Amendments Committee, and the Human Resources Committee. She has introduced 28 private members bills on issues ranging from education and environment to child safety and public finance. 

Diana is a graduate of Dalhousie University with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Prior to entering politics she had a successful career as a management consultant with a major international firm and she also worked with a local consulting engineering firm where she ran their business consulting practice.