Civically Speaking Podcast with Host, Lenore Swystun and Co-Host, Christina Cherneskey
Civically Speaking Podcast with Host, Lenore Swystun and Co-Host, Christina Cherneskey
2025.02.18 Civically Speaking - From Cheese to Council: Ward 1 Councillor Catherine McDonald's Journey
Catherine McDonald, newly elected Ward 1 Councillor in Saskatoon, joins us with a compelling narrative of her transition from trades professional to influential municipal leader. Catherine's journey is anything but ordinary, marked by a passion for lifelong learning that spans culinary arts, wine, spirits, and horticulture, alongside running a family cheese shop that ignited her community involvement and political aspirations. Her story is one of transformation, fueled by a drive to create a better city for her family and neighbors, and she generously shares the lessons learned along the way during our conversation.
Our chat delves into the emotional highs and lows of running a political campaign, where authenticity and community connections became Catherine's guiding principles. She courageously stepped into the political arena, motivated by a desire to make Saskatoon safer and more accessible. From meeting influential figures to assembling a dedicated campaign team, Catherine reflects on the rollercoaster of election night and her narrow yet thrilling victory over well-established opponents, offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of embarking on a political career.
Catherine doesn't shy away from discussing the pressing challenges she faces, from addressing homelessness to the complexities of city governance. She shares her perspective on the intricacies of working with fellow council members and the dynamic orientation process for new councillors. Her commitment to tackling urban development challenges, fostering community engagement, and enhancing accessibility and affordability underscores her vision for Saskatoon's future. Join us as we uncover Catherine's insights and dedication to making a lasting impact in her community.
Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.
Hello everybody, welcome to Civically Speaking. My name is Lenora Swiston and I'm here with Christina Chernesky in Saskatoon, saskatchewan, and 90.5 FM, and you can find us on any of your podcast panels, channels and everything else. And we have with us a very special guest new to the CFCR world of Civically Speaking, and we're just honored to have our next Ward 1 counselor, who was elected in fall of 2024, catherine McDonald.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be here.
Speaker 1:I tell you it's just a treat to have you. Christina, you want to share that. You were doing a little background research.
Speaker 3:Oh well, I wasn't really doing research per se, but I was just simply trying to find out a little bit more. You know, through our regular channels, but you know, just prior to the show, lenore shared a very interesting tidbit about Ward 1, which is Catherine MacDonald's ward, now that she won the seat after incumbent Darren Hill didn't capture enough votes. So I'll start first, since I seem to have the lengthiest piece of legacy. Ward 1 was my dad's ward and I believe he sat in that seat for 20, almost 25 years, 24, but 25. And then we made him quit and because you know, come on, enough is enough, we wanted to go fishing. So that was my rope, my dad's ward, for a long, long time. So now, lenore, I'll throw it to you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, mine wasn't near as long as that, but it was. It had quality, not quantity. There you go, but what? No, no, it's both. Your dad had both. But what I'm saying is that there it's, the. The longevity came in some of the things. It was at the turn of the century, if you can believe that. So that's how long ago, catherine, that was. It feels like yesterday some days and feels like it never happened other days and then it feels like it happened exactly when it happened. So that's even more interesting. And it was when Caswell Hill was still in ward one, and since then it is now in ward two.
Speaker 1:But this isn't about us. This is about you and about folks getting to know who you are. On a show like this that's dedicated to civic issues. That means anything that can impact the local, which can be things going on in Ukraine and the Middle East and our south of the border that we've been talking about a lot of, but, most importantly, how it affects here and what better things that are influencing here than our municipal world and our elected officials. So, catherine, we always start out with any new guest by just letting our listeners know who you are. So tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 2:Yeah, well, thank you for that introduction. So, as you said, newly elected to Ward 1. Lived in Saskatoon almost 12 years now. So, yeah, my husband and I we actually met East and then he's from here, so came back here, we opened our own business. We have two small kids. Our life is not short of busy. So, yeah, why not throw something else in there?
Speaker 1:So yeah, why not throw something else in there and try to have some fun? Yeah for sure. I know I'm going to pull something here.
Speaker 1:Christina, you can probably dovetail on this, but I have two memories of you that are really cool.
Speaker 1:One is walking into the cheese shop in our local neighborhood on 33rd Street and happening upon your husband and your kids and and you were in the background somewhere, but you weren't right there at the moment, and then I think you were in a bit, but just about how you opened up a cheese shop on that, and we were all excited because we thought can't just be broadway, christina, right, have stuff, it's a 33rd is the happening street.
Speaker 1:So there you go there. And then I had the fortitude and, civically speaking, has heard from you as a candidate, because I recorded about two and a half minutes of candidates and you were more than happy to oblige yourself in terms of sharing a little bit about yourself as a candidate, and I just remember thinking, oh, if she got in, that would be really cool, and you and your mom were there and we had a little conversation afterwards. It was pretty cool. So tell us a little more about that background, though, because something that you shared as well beyond just an ownership and having a couple of kids and an incident around kind of MacGyvering streets was around some of your educational background and work that you've done yeah so.
Speaker 2:So I have a background in trades. I like to describe myself more, though, as like a lifelong learner. I just keep going back to school for random certificates and diplomas because I just think it's really fun to keep learning and keep letting yourself grow. So, yeah, like I said, my husband I met out in Prince Edward Island. Actually, I'm from Nova Scotia, so I did culinary arts out there and then I also did my pastry arts out there. So I worked in a lot of kitchens and then I did move to the front of house as well for a while, and that's not very conducive to a family life.
Speaker 2:Daycares don't really provide those extended hours or they're not very easy to come by. So, yeah, we had this idea of doing something for ourselves for a long time and the right time, the right place literally showed up, kind of together, and we went for it. Yeah, and I also have like a background my level two in my wine and spirit education. So, yeah, just kind of slowly working my way through those things. A certificate in horticulture I started my agronomy Not short of, I always like to say it kind of centers around food, though in some way Kind of like from how it's grown to how it's produced and serviced, transported. So yeah, kind of where my life has led. And then here, yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3:Well, lenore and I, as both Ukrainian girls, are probably wondering if you're not really just Ukrainian. Who knows? Because you know, if the three of us got together for coffee, that's all we would talk about is food. I, I can guarantee it, I love it. Yeah, and I mean it from everything from you know main course to dessert. I want to ask you a question, though. You came to Saskatoon about 12 years ago, as you said. What was your first thoughts? First of all, where did you live? In Nova Scotia.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I'm from Dartmouth. So I'm from Dartmouth. I lived there my 18 years, then I lived in PEI for about four years going to school, and I also lived in Toronto for like 10 months doing an internship.
Speaker 3:So yeah, and then, when you came to Saskatoon, what sort of what was your feeling when you got to our city?
Speaker 2:So I think we arrived late October and I was not prepared for the winter. Nothing, it's so true I had to buy a parka. Oh my God, I just I wasn't expecting that. But looking back, kind of like my first initial kind of observations and feelings were it was just so easy to access in some ways, like the healthcare system, especially coming from out East. I just like I found a doctor right away. I got in, actually had to have shoulder surgery long story um but like the process was very seamless, it was very fast um at that time. Yeah, so just kind of like sgi, was you go one place, you get your plates, you don't?
Speaker 2:have to like register here and then go here, so just kind of like setting up our lives in a lot of ways uh was different, but I found it was kind of very, in some way, straightforward. So that was actually.
Speaker 1:My initial impression was wow, it's cold um, but I like the services so tell us what your thoughts were about the city itself in terms of what the layout of it kind of in the neighborhoods about it. I'm always curious when people arrive in Saskatoon kind of how they see it versus somebody who's kind of had it always as a part of their life yeah, um, I fell in love with City Park like almost right away.
Speaker 2:I thought just kind of like the atmosphere where, like City Perks was that neighborhood cafe kind of feel I really love like the aesthetics of the house, so I really enjoyed that. And I worked when I first got here in Riversdale, so kind of just like an up and coming area, so it felt very like vibrant and fun, just like so much going on. I didn't really enjoy how far it felt like the city was like. It did feel like it took a long time to get from one side to the other. But then you're like hey, there's lots of land here. People like to say just go out, I guess. But yeah, yeah, learning a lot more about how cities are built and the functions, um, yeah, I've kind of learned that go up.
Speaker 1:But yeah, yeah, yeah. So let's get into a little bit of this. I mean, we've got time here to explore a whole bunch of things, so I hope you're okay with this. Yeah, but you know, kind of as a as a way of what motivated you to go from somebody who was from away going oh my goodness it's cold here, got to buy parka, you know, and I like to be a lifelong learner to all of a sudden you decide to take a run at ward one.
Speaker 3:That's what I'm curious about too. From culinary to you know politics. From culinary to you know politics.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So after we opened up our business, I and I guess I would just kind of preface with like I already had a full-time job, while we had, like we started the business already.
Speaker 2:I guess I didn't want to feel pigeonholed into taking such a large gap in the career. Like I said, I like to learn, so I kind of always wanted to keep doing something for career. Like I said I like to learn, so I kind of always wanted to keep doing something for myself. So I did work at a charity organization called Agriculture in the Classroom, saskatchewan, and like little green thumbs, little green sprouts, so like I really love doing that work.
Speaker 2:But I joined the board of directors for the 33rd Street Business Improvement District and so kind of there is where I met a counselor for the first time, realized that they're not like abstract and scary, like they're just real people that want to help and like make a positive impact and change and like kind of what we were trying to do on the board. So yeah, just kind of like through those small steps. I always had a weird fascination with bylaws anyways, so it kind of felt like it was this customer service like trying to help build a better future. It kind of like melded a lot of passions of mine together in some ways and I said I said hey, I was on my maternity leave um.
Speaker 1:The opportunity for an election was there, so I said let's try it so I mean which is really great, because they're giving incentive and motivation to others to go look if you've got a passion for your city in some way. Anyway, I mean this is something that you can do now. Explain to us a little bit of your process, about, kind of when you first thought about doing this. I mean you're giving us some inclinations there, but time frame wise, and kind of how you built a team and kind of your whole kind of campaign process, because I'm really curious about and I think listeners would be really curious to know about what that process was like for you and some of the components.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I guess, to be honest, it was probably about a year before the election that I kind of started to toy with the idea and there came a point in time where I essentially said to myself I would regret not trying. So that's when I think I knew I had to go for it. Even you know, you kind of try and go into those type of situations thinking you're not going to win, just as I don't know you should. Maybe don't get your hopes up too high. And then, just through different people in the community and that I knew different skill sets of people, so, yeah, I kind of just started to recruit my sister to help with some like graphics, just like initially I knew some people that I worked with that helped on Charlie Clark's campaign, so they kind of helped introduce me to different other people and just kind of like these introductions to more people and to more people, yeah, was really how kind of like my team grew.
Speaker 3:I? I'm just curious, though. You know a lot of people go into politics because they're dissatisfied with something or they have a. They have a belief that the way something was done could potentially be done better. Was any of that stuff in your back pocket when you were, when you were making that decision? The way something was done could potentially be done better? Was any of that stuff in your back pocket when you were?
Speaker 2:when you were making that decision to run.
Speaker 2:I don't think directly for me.
Speaker 2:I like I just had two small kids, so there were things when we started to go into the world together that I wasn't maybe feeling like I could give them in senses of like go a block down the street to the park by yourself when you're old enough, kind of like that type of independence.
Speaker 2:I was and maybe it's a generational thing, Maybe it's me, I'm not really sure, but you know, when I take them and the cross lights aren't working and it's a busy street, just some of those things kind of constantly in the back of your mind, missing sidewalks in certain areas. So it's not as though like I was disgruntled, particularly anything, but I just really wanted to make sure that there was a future that I could give them where I felt safe, giving them that independence and like other parents had kind of like the similar feelings and just people in general getting around, making sure it's accessible and easy. I know, like again, walking with a stroller, I thought to myself if you were in a wheelchair or you couldn't see well, or there was like a million different reasons why this could be such a hazard and a barrier for you to get out that I think everyone should be able to access the city and enjoy it fully, without kind of that fear and apprehension.
Speaker 1:So really looking at a barrier free, you know way of having a city work so that people can move and play and work, so it sounds like the makings of a campaign that you had there. So how did you go about your campaign? So you said you got some family involved, made some networks with some people that were already on council, the mayor included, and they kind of one contact built to the other. Tell us a little bit more about that, because I think those are really neat things for people to know. It's like okay, here's how I actually did this thing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I guess, just to clarify, like the person I knew who helped with Charlie's campaign was one of the first ones, so I actually I've only met Charlie uh, former mayor of Charlie Clark once, so it wasn't yeah Um but, um, yeah, it was just I felt for me, things I didn't like in the political world were kind of feeling like you're being taken advantage of or you're just being told things because someone thought it was what you wanted to hear. So a kind of I started with just making it really honest, like this is who I am, like me or don't, it's just, it's me.
Speaker 2:I'm not really going to change um and then um, yeah, just kind of being true to that. There was another point, but I probably will circle back because I don't come back.
Speaker 1:It'll come back. But I mean, in terms of the process going into that, did you go out and knock on doors and meet with neighbors and kind of how? What was? What was the nature of the way that you campaigned?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so actually I started with a lot of the small businesses in the ward, yeah, so I made a letter to them Just as a small business owner, making sure that you felt included you pay taxes in this area, you can't vote but making sure that you knew who you could talk to if you had an issue. Maybe we could share similar issues and experiences. So it's just kind of like a level that I felt comfortable engaging in. It was like the first business. I think I walked past it like six times. I was like I'm going to do it this time and I was like nope.
Speaker 2:So it definitely felt like it took some courage, but then you get there. Oh and yeah, the other point for campaigning and what I wanted, I just kind of thought about my own experiences in the past and, semi engaged around election times, I just kind of always wanted someone to I don't know convince me why I should vote for you. So I kind of also came at it with that lens of why should you vote for me? Like so yeah, those are kind of some of the but you know at the same time.
Speaker 3:I mean, you were honestly you. You threw your hat in the ring against some, you know, pretty formidable opponents political opponents, if you will and did that ever slow you down, or did it make you think twice? Or, you know, did you wake up in the morning and say you know what, honey, I changed my mind, you know like, did that ever sort of roll through? I'm genuinely curious.
Speaker 2:I feel like throughout the whole process of, uh, campaigning, elections, those are very natural emotions and thoughts to have they. They do definitely roll through, but not long enough to really deter me, at least. I'm very competitive, I like a challenge. So, yeah, I just really wanted to go out there and try my best, and it was a lot of like pounding the pavement, getting that exposure, getting my name out there. As you said, there was an incumbent and then someone who already ran before, so there's a lot of name recognition out there in the ward already. But, yeah, I love this area. So, yeah, I really just if I was going to do it, I was going to try my best and there we go.
Speaker 1:So let's go to election night. So election night, results are coming in. What was that like for you? Let's go to election night. So let's you know, results are coming in. What was that like for you? And and when did you know? And, and then what, what, what was that? First, oh, and now I am.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I. As everyone kind of knows, there was quite a delay at the beginning.
Speaker 1:We were commentating on it Yep Hours. We were commentating on it Yep.
Speaker 2:Hours, hours. So I was running for get out the vote until probably like five thirty six o'clock. I went home for a little bit just to kind of see the kids and then I went to kind of like our election results party that we were having election results party that we were having. It was like that period kind of between when I thought results were coming in and waiting was probably the most nerve wracking. But you said like, hey, you did what you could do, or I kept trying to tell myself that and then, yeah, once the results came in again, it was fluctuating back and forth. It was actually really funny because I got so caught up in it that I forgot it was me. I know, like I disassociated enough that it was exciting.
Speaker 1:I was like oh my God, I'm winning again.
Speaker 2:Oh my God, I'm losing again. Like it was just exciting. And then it became pretty late, so we all cleared out and I went down to City Hall at about 12, I guess midnight and it was just me and one other Ward 1 candidate waiting in chambers for those last final counts. It was 52 votes, I think, was the difference, so it really came down to every vote and, yeah, when they were actually tallying them, so I just was waiting there to see what their reaction was and when they left I was like, oh, I guess I won. I was like, oh, I guess I won.
Speaker 3:That's crazy, that is really crazy. And you know, on the other side of things, lenore and I and Voice of Saskatoon team were broadcasting live on Cable 10. And of course, so we have an idea of how you may have felt during that interminable length of time where everybody was waiting for results. But then, you know, when it started to trickle in, even on our side we recognized that we were going to see a shift. We were going to see a shift in Ward 1 and something was about to happen and it became one of the wards that we were looking at very closely that night in terms of the vote tabulation. So you know, it's interesting to hear your perspective and then recall what we were sort of talking about ourselves in the studio. So, wow, what an amazing feeling. What was it like, I mean, that evening, or even the next morning? I mean, how, how did you start to sort of grapple with that whole idea that oh my gosh an elected official?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I did actually pop in that night to the mayor's party and just was there for like 10 minutes. I was like I I'm exhausted, like my legs are jello from running all day. I want to go to bed. So yeah, like I saw a couple people there. They were like super excited. I was like this is so weird. And then I called my sister on the way home who lives in Toronto, and it was probably like 4 in the morning for her and I was I won. So we kind of shared a little moment there and then I was getting emails from the city at about 8 AM. Wow, it just it started immediately.
Speaker 1:And what was that feeling like for you?
Speaker 2:It was a little in some, just overwhelming in some ways yeah because it was just pouring in like the congratulations and like the phone calls and emails, text messages, yeah, from everywhere, and so, yeah, I was like I.
Speaker 1:I can I handle this?
Speaker 2:is this what's going to be like forever? But no, it was really cool. So like you're just so proud of yourself, but also sometimes you were like what, what did I do? Wait a second.
Speaker 1:What did I do?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it just kind of fell through a lot of different emotions and yeah, it's just really interesting.
Speaker 1:So let's take this context. We've got about four minutes to kind of set this up. So, for those that are just tuning in to Civically Speaking, we're here with Catherine MacDonald, the new counsellor for Ward 1, with Christina Chinesky and myself, lenore Swiston, and we're talking about kind of your journey into becoming a Ward 1 counsellor, taking you kind of through the campaign, and then that surreal feeling and whoa, all of a sudden, that overwhelming feeling that this is real. And here I am In taking us out into the second part kind of what was that feeling when you all came together as a new council under a new mayor? So kind of did it happen in the first couple of days? And what was that sensibility when you all realized that you're the team now that are the elected officials making up city council?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So like throughout my campaign I became like pretty close with Jasmine Parker so like kind of having that ally there was really nice. And then, yeah, just you knew everyone was kind of like the new people I guess were very I think everyone was just like what's going on?
Speaker 2:So it was so it was really reassuring to feel like most of us were in the same boat together with being overwhelmed and just excited and yeah, just really like hopefully optimistic about the future, like you can maybe naive about what we can accomplish, you know, oh yeah oh for sure, refresh my memory again, how many new counselors were there?
Speaker 3:this was it six, yeah, six that's a lot that's a lot it's over.
Speaker 1:It's over half over half, yeah. So, and so did orientation happen within the first week? Like, can you explain a little bit of that, as we kind of go out on this first half?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I think orientation started just a couple of days later. They did it kind of in groupings, so kind of when you were available, just as some people saw different jobs and work, and I wish I had it. But the binder that they gave you was like this thick, um, just kind of full of what you need to know on your first couple weeks, um, and then, yeah, right into budget after that. So, yeah, we kind of all met when we could. Some other counselors were away, um, I don't think it was maybe till one of the first council meetings. Yeah, we were really all together. But yeah, there was definitely, I want to say it, new lively energy that was kind of coming about, really excited to get started and learn, deep dive into it yeah, for sure, you know.
Speaker 3:I know we have to go into our break here, but just a quick comment from a civilian side, if you will, from a voter's perspective, from a resident of Saskatoon. It was also, from our end, exciting to see new faces, but at the same time that there was this understanding and belief that Saskatoon intrinsically well, at least right now has a lot of problems, a lot of good things, but a lot of problems too that we need to address. So with that cliffhanger we're going to take a quick yeah, thank you.
Speaker 1:Now we're going to take a quick. Yes, thank you very much. We're going to take a quick break and go into part two of Civically Speaking Right away. We're here with Councillor Catherine MacDonald and Christina Chernesky and myself on CFCR and Civically Speaking 90.5 FM and on all of your podcast platforms. Back right away.
Speaker 3:Welcome back to the second half of Civically Speaking on CFCR 90.5 FM in Saskatoon, your community radio station. Thanks everybody for joining us today. It's so nice to have you here. I'm Christina Chernesky, along with my co-host and friend, lenore Swiston, and our guest Ward 1 Councillor, catherine MacDonald. We were commenting before the show started about how it's nice to have fresh faces on City Council but at the same time, when there's change, especially when there's elected change, that means someone gets left behind. A change that means someone gets left behind. So, uh, catherine, you are. You have now assumed the state, the seats, rather that. Uh, longtime city councillor Darren Hill, occupied in Saskatoon, and I, I was genuinely curious if you felt any sort of I don't know weight or, if you know, if you, if you felt something that was left behind by a counselor who had been there for so long.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think the first time I actually sat down in chambers in your chair it's so exciting, you see your like Councillor McDonald name tag but then I think that was maybe one of the first times it hit me where I felt like I took something from someone else. So, yeah, I definitely did feel, because I think I was the only one that beat an incumbent. So I really I know like it's a race and the parameters of it all, but it really felt almost as I stole it in some ways. So that was a little weird. I definitely took a little bit of time to kind of process through that and, yeah, just learn how to come into it in my own way and just, yeah, know that I did win it fair and square, but it didn't make it any less difficult in some ways of kind of moving through those next steps.
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, I understand that. I understand it to an extent, obviously, but but you know, when there is such a shift and as many shifts as there were at city hall in the in the fall election, you know clearly something like this was bound to happen. But then again there were also people who were anticipating change. So now you're in and uh, and you're facing some very big issues. So, lenore katherine, shall we delve into some some of um the issues that we're facing right now well, I think so.
Speaker 1:I think. I think let's. Let's start with this is what do you? You, you know Councillor McDonald, using your formal name now because we're getting into the heavens of it, but I mean, you're also still a citizen, you're still somebody who's part of part of our community in the whole bit, like what are what were you hearing is some of the key issues and what are some of the key issues for you that are arising as a result of that?
Speaker 2:rising as a result of that. Yeah, so door knocking, I think everyone can almost agree number one issues that they heard were about homelessness and community safety People just really not feeling as safe to go in the evenings by themselves again, even if they were older. Um, so there are just like a lot of those um aspects that are really hard. Um, as you both know, like those do definitely fall under a different um jurisdiction. So trying to kind of really remain, keep those relationships civil, um, while doing the best that we can with the resources that we have, because it's definitely a multi-level issue that we're trying to face actively. I feel like somehow not somehow, but every meeting one of those issues seems to come up. So it's definitely kind of still right there every time that we're all together and it's definitely something that we're trying to do a lot about.
Speaker 3:I'd be curious to hear some of the discussion that happens, you know, in committee, behind closed doors, you know even over coffee, you know with your fellow councillors, if you ever do have that opportunity, I mean, what? What? While we can all recognize that it's a problem, that it's a major issue that saskatoon is facing and don't get me wrong, I know it happens, you know, in every major city um, but does anybody come up with any viable solutions? Or are we getting, are we going to get, something that that residents can hear and and hopefully have that hope?
Speaker 2:studies in different cities, like transitional housing and just to provide housing is one of, like the key components to really helping move the needle on this. Most I want to say from stats can I don't have the numbers right in front of me, but it's kind of like in that 80% range People are homeless because of affordability, like the mental health and drugs and addiction are kind of like a secondary resource to help cope with some of these things. So, yes, well, that's still a large issue. Focusing kind of turning our wheels on this one kind of piece is not really progressing things forward. So really just making sure that we are building this housing that's affordable, with the supports and resources that people want access to, because that's like another issue that we've heard Just some are really high barrier, people aren't ready for it, so they're not going into some of these shelters just because they don't want the supports yet or they don't feel like they deserve them. So, yeah, just kind of trying to navigate some of those areas as well I mean it's.
Speaker 1:I appreciate you saying that, but we're what I'm hearing from you is it's still a struggle. I mean that's it right, and we don't have an answer per se other than what you've said is that you know there's a rapid housing, um, that there's been announcements on that. I mean full disclosure. I've said that on this show. I'm involved in some of the projects. But you know there's the rapid housing that there's been announcements on that. I mean full disclosure. I've said that on this show. I'm involved in some of the projects that are going on within the city and so there's some good stuff that's going on out there.
Speaker 1:But it's still, you know, we're recording today and it's like one of the coldest days of the year minus 40, when I woke up, you know, and then it dipped to minus 41, 42 and now it's coming up, you know. So I mean it's still an issue and that is I know the mayor had talked about kind of bringing together, you know, different stakeholders and that around the group. Is there any update on any of those kind of activities coming out where you know just the regular resident that's sitting in on meetings, just like we are right here where they might be able to have voice at a table.
Speaker 2:I don't think anything official has been coming out yet. I know like that's still what the mayor wants to do, just trying to figure out the best way to approach it. So really just making sure that yeah, I think we all want to see this under our strategic plan. So that will be going to the public, I think in August. So I think last one we'll probably see a lot more of these pieces coming out on how we think is the best way to get community involvement, stakeholder involvement, just kind of involve everyone together.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so that's something that the city's also working on right now. I take it is that, as you're sharing is that you're building your new, near next, strategic plan for the city of Saskatoon. Yeah, that's good. And then you talked about community safety being something else. I mean in the two issues that, civically speaking, has talked about repeatedly for years, those top two issues. So there's no surprise, as you said, that anyone that's out there that's knocking on the doors or just literally sitting for coffee or they're in some Zoom room, chat room somewhere or social media. You're hearing about homelessness and community safety. Is there any thing you can share about some of the things you're noticing now as a counselor around kind of the safety issues and some of the things that you're either hearing from residents or things that you're working with administration and to that end?
Speaker 2:yeah, like you know, I've heard some horrific stories of you know, people just waking up to someone in their house, to someone in their backyard on their front porch, um, even people entering different residents, um under an influence and you know it not being that high, not that, not that high of a priority, but not um as urgent as maybe it should feel to our first responders.
Speaker 2:So I think you know, like I said before, kind of all these secondary issues, like with mental health and drug and addictions, that are coming through with this and so much time and resources are being put there with encampments and everything else. It just it's such a strain on our resources that, yeah, trying to go back, not go back, but really focus on, maybe, areas that would make a larger impact and kind of spread out the kind of resource sharing. I know that they've had different task force, like within the police with, like, mental health services to, you know, respond to all these calls, and those type of teams really make it more efficient because then you learn the history and the background and someone new isn't redoing this every single time and spending an hour or so, you know. So there are different ways that um, they're working to really maximize their time in the community yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1:Yeah, thank you for that. So those are kind of the top two. Right now I want to want to ask you about a few others, if you don't mind, because I mean, this is a show where we're getting to know you, you're getting to know us and, most importantly, as listeners are getting to know who their city council reps are. So you know, in terms of some of the issues, how are what are some of the other kind of ward one issues that are really kind of like top of mind for you today, aside from those two?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I've actually, I think, been fairly surprised with the amount of calls I get around like access, transit and not that it's not not that they don't like the service, but just being able to like sidewalk clearing or you know, like how long maybe it takes to get an appointment. So I'm really finding that the demographic who are contacting me are older, which I I wonder if it will stay that way in some ways, or if you know like more people are going to reach out and feel like they can connect with their counselor. Yeah so, yeah, I'm definitely hearing from an older clientele who, again, are on limited income. Affordability is an issue, mobility is an issue, accessibility is an issue, so just kind of all those things compounding together. Yeah, it's definitely something that I think maybe I'm starting to hear the most about okay, yeah, that's really interesting, and I mean kind of flows in.
Speaker 1:What you said is around how to make an accessible city a barrier-free city. So those are some of the things that I'm hearing you might start to champion, hint, hint, you know. So those are, those are good things, you know, those are good things to carry and be that counselor that can really move those things forward. Because I want to ask you now about the curiosity between that and seeing the city-wide issues and also the relationship to other counselors in terms of issues they may be having in their ward. How are you navigating that? Because there is a navigation that happens there as a counselor.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it's definitely interesting because a lot of Ward 1, definitely older infrastructure, a lot of more core neighbourhoods, so a lot of these accessibility issues aren't necessarily the same as it might be in Ward 10. That are newer neighbourhoods that are built with this new status quo, that have all this new infrastructure. So, yeah, really being that voice for the community on some of these issues, I know, like other older neighborhoods again, ward 6 feels same way with a lot of their area. So, yeah, making sure that we also are recognizing that there are some areas of the city that might need more funding and more attention and more of a priority, it's something that I think is really important for me, yeah, for my ward.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. And then a couple other things here too, in terms of and thanks for that is when what have you noticed about the relationship between yourself as a counselor coming in and then how administrations work? Because that's always like I think people have this curiosity like what's that relationship was like I'm, I was no one, and then all of a sudden I'm voted in. All of a sudden people are giving me this title and everywhere I walk they're calling me counselor mcdonald. Like, like, what's that relationship like? And what's that access to kind of information within the city halls?
Speaker 2:like yeah, definitely. A lot of times I say please just call me Catherine. It feels so formal. I get in chambers, that's one thing, but otherwise, yeah, you can just call me Catherine. And yeah, access to information, Like we have what's called counselor support. So they're a really good resource to kind of go to, especially for us new ones, because they know who to contact, instead of me just kind of sitting there being like who do I contact in Waste and Water Works? I can be like, hey, this is my issue, can you connect me with this person? Um, so, they have, they're a great resource for us that really help, um, really streamline a lot of our stuff.
Speaker 2:But the administration has been more than happy to like sit down, give you history, send your reports, um, answer any questions that you have on anything upcoming or in the past. Answer any questions that you have on anything upcoming or in the past. But no, there's definitely I find there's still this barrier of can't you just do this for me and you're like kind of like trying to figure out how to explain the structure of a city council as, like a board of directors Administration can't do outside their policy unless we tell them to. We can't make them do anything individually. So just how it works.
Speaker 2:Um, yeah, I don't think a lot of people really recognize that we can't grant you one-offs, and it's hard to say, because you know we want to help. You have a genuine issue. But I'm like, hey, let's work, I can show you how to come to a committee and we can talk about this and you can raise your point and we can move it forward. But it's such a long process and people are like, well then, I don't know, you know. So, yeah, really trying to make sure people understand that administration takes direction from city council and it's not changing unless we as a whole kind of agree to do that. So, yeah, it's kind of a one area that I'm working through right now yeah, navigating the voice of one, the voice of many and democracy and how the the painful thing about democracy is democracy, but it's the best thing we got.
Speaker 1:So yeah, for sure, christina, did you have a question? Because I have a follow-up to that do your follow-up?
Speaker 3:do you follow?
Speaker 1:well, the follow-up is is just that I you know there are committees that councillors are on, and so some of those are internal committees and we talk about some of them, like planning and development and community services and kind of the other ones. Can you share which committees you're on and then which external committees you're on, because I think that might be really interesting for listeners to hear about what other things that you're representing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so my special policy committees are transportation and I'm also on environment, utilities and corporate services. So those are kind of those two. And then for my external boards, I'm on the public art advisory committee, I'm also on the saskatoon environment advisory committee, I'm on the watersheds and also a local um initiatives, or, yeah, local initiatives for a sustainable future board.
Speaker 1:that's big, that's lots, that lots, that's a lot.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think, yeah, I tried to. I think my goal was kind of that three to four for like external boards. So I'm happy with what I picked yeah.
Speaker 1:Awesome, that took a lot Sorry. Yeah, no, no, no that's good.
Speaker 2:That took a lot.
Speaker 1:Sorry.
Speaker 3:No, no, no, that's good. So I wanted to see if we can keep on the same track as civic politics, but also talk about the fact that just recently you had a chance not you, but collectively city council had a chance to meet some provincial politicians, and I think it was Ken Sheveldayoff that said that it's imperative that these you know that these two bodies of government have some form of communication, and I didn't know this until I saw the story on CJWW. It's been since 2007 that there's been sort of like this formal meet and greet or get together with your provincial counterparts. Can you tell us a little bit about how that came to be and what was brought up at that session?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I'm not sure exactly how long it's been going on, but it's definitely something that seems like it's always been a priority for the um, for council is to meet their provincial representatives. So I do believe even we're trying to plan with the sask party as well and really just be able to have a name to a face and know who to contact for what um. So, yeah, there are representatives from warman, martinsville, kind of like all over um Lumsden. Yeah, just really trying to be collaborative, work together and just express areas that we are seeing concerns and pressures in the city. They might be the same as different towns in Saskatchewan. They might be different. So, yeah, just really putting our voice out there and giving them the same opportunity as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's good. I mean, it's the start of building those relationships around some of those key issues, whether it be homelessness, public safety, and another one of our favorite things that we like to talk about and I hold this one dear because it's my life's work is around community planning. Community planning and development. I know, hey, christina, but this is where our worlds collide perfectly, because christina is about all of that, as a former recovering journalist, as she calls herself.
Speaker 3:So who knows, it's still there.
Speaker 1:The journalist bubbles up I know, I know, hey, that's exactly it, that's exactly it. So, on those planning and development, there's some big moves that are happening within our city. You know anticipated big moves. You know big moves in the downtown moves that are underway right now. We've got a library that's being built up literally from the ground.
Speaker 1:You can watch it kind of go floor by floor, wall by wall, pour of concrete by pour of concrete, kind of go floor by floor, wall by wall, pour of concrete by pour of concrete, for anyone that's interested, just on the corner there of 25th and 2nd Avenue. So I mean, these are the things that are going on right now. Yes, the PAT is gone. For those that are wondering what happened, this is up. I've got a brick, I've got a brick for the PAT. Yeah, there you go, there you go.
Speaker 1:So you know these are some of the these that move the arena district downtown. You know brand new school that's going to be happening on 22nd street, near that. You know bigger perimeter freeways that are going to be happening in that, newer developments and some suburbs that are happening and, of course, always the goal of infill development and filling up those vacant lots. And and looking at in, a favorite of mine too is and I know christina loves this too and I hear it in your voice from city park around character and heritage and how how to support that.
Speaker 1:So what are your thoughts on any or all of those issues, like what's popping out for you and, kind of, where, where are you hoping to see some of these big moves go in the future? And I'll mention, and I'll mention one more, and that is around. You know the whole notion of truth and reconciliation being something that I know has been, you know, very much something that council has talked about. You see it, if anyone's watching council, just in terms of the symbolism of those relationships to our indigenous peoples, and so I just wonder where some of those are with you yeah, um.
Speaker 2:so we've had a couple opportunities um to meet with different indigenous leaders in the community. Um, there's going to be a new Urban reserve signing coming up, hopefully within the next month For ward one specifically. So really, those different aspects Of kind of economic Quality for some truth and reconciliation Parts are they're moving Forward, maybe Not as quickly as some might hope but they're coming. And, yeah, even like with the arena downtown, I know a lot of people their biggest concern would be, like again with affordability and property taxes or just not even wanting to access downtown. So you know, simultaneously addressing those large major issues now again while planning for the future, because we can't be short-sighted with a city that's growing rapidly.
Speaker 2:We're an economic powerhouse of the province. People want to come here, people want to stay, so we want to be able to retain professionals and individuals and families, give them places to live. So, yeah, building houses I think with the downtown mixed use would be really cool aspects and really making sure that there are more like apartments and offices downtown. There's also some neighborhood planning development going on at some of the U of S lands, so that's going to be coming kind of forward soon. I think there might be an information session next week. So, yeah, there's definitely different areas that are growing that are a little bit closer to the core, without expanding out too much.
Speaker 3:I'm just wondering, like with all of these things that you brought up, I'm just wondering if you're hearing from the complainers. I'll just put it as simple as that that people who really have so much to say about their concerns about Saskatoon are reaching out to you because you're the new girl on the blog.
Speaker 2:You know, I think there's definitely there's a small group of people I would say who kind of are trying their hand again because, yeah, I am new, you know they're going to come out see what they can get, push, pull, and you know there might be different areas of engagement or interest with me versus someone else.
Speaker 2:So yeah, just kind of really seeing who you are kind of like, how you deal with things and I would say, for kind of like the rest of it, a lot of people don't necessarily they're not complaining, but I think it just comes from a place of lack of information or misinformation and just not really knowing the whole process. And it's confusing right when you're rezoning a lot and all the steps that it takes. It's a really long process. It can be six to 12 months, but if you want your comments in, it needs to be by a certain point. But it's not like the city is going to deny your comments if you have any. So yeah, just kind of really learning how we can kind of frame that whole picture a little bit better so that people aren't feeling so pressured or like in a corner to do something. Just kind of let them relax a little bit more with some of the information.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's interesting. I want to ask you this is what are you finding the most and what are you finding what you love the most so far?
Speaker 2:Let's see most challenging. I think we've kind of talked about it a little bit. But yeah, just people intrinsically not really trusting a politician, intrinsically not really trusting a politician, um, so maybe sometimes I feel like they're trying to not manipulate but put more pressure on you than necessary and be like no, you have, you have a valid point, like I, I genuinely want to help you. Um, you don't need kind of all this other stuff with it. Um. So yeah, just kind of really shifting that narrative about, yeah, like I, I'm just I'm not. I don't feel as myself like a politician. I don't really come from that world. I just kind of jumped into it sideways and I landed here sideways and I landed here. So, yeah, I just really feel like people. If they have a valid concern or point like, yes, I want to help you, even if you don't, like I'll walk you through the steps. You can try and take something up the pole if you want, like, let's do it, let's see where you get.
Speaker 2:I think it's pretty interesting, yeah, and then just kind of like like I don't even know what do you love so much?
Speaker 1:what do you love so far so much? I don't even know what I just said, but I think you get what it is, I think.
Speaker 2:I think the I just love I said this before like all of the information, kind of like being right in there and like learning how all these things are working, has been so fascinating to just a zoning by agreement versus a zoning by law, which sounds weird, but it's been like oh, like that's what that means, that's what this is for, like that's a discretionary use.
Speaker 3:There's a lot of terminology, but yeah, just kind of that like learning curve I steep, but I think it's been so interesting well, it's been an interesting hour and no, and it's just, it's flown by and um I just I want to take this opportunity to, um, you know, say it was just wonderful to to have met you ward one city councillor, katherine mcdonald, and thank you for making time to be on civically speaking on cfcr thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2:I uh, I need to get better with some public speaking, so I really appreciated this opportunity.
Speaker 1:We'll have you back we'll have you back and we'll be have you back we will have you back, and we'll be having you back on Voice of Saskatoon and that on Rogers, so can't wait to do that too. So thanks so much, catherine.
Speaker 2:Really appreciate it.
Speaker 1:Thank you. We're here on Civically Speaking CFCR 90.5 FM. Stay tuned for more shows just like this, and we'll be back next week. Take care everyone.
