Cathy McLeod served as riding MP for 13 years (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

CATHY MCLEOD

On election day, outgoing MP McLeod reflects on 13 years in Ottawa

Sep 20, 2021 | 1:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — There will be a new Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo on Monday night without Cathy McLeod in the race.

She announced she wouldn’t be running again earlier in February.

From the time she was elected in 2008, McLeod always wanted to make a difference for Kamloops and area. In her 13 years as the Member of Parliament, she feels like she did.

“I look at the many projects, the many initiatives, whether it’s the four-laning to Chase, whether something as simple as a splash park in Clearwater. Community aspirations, community goals that we move forward,” noted McLeod. “Partnering with the communities, both in good times and in bad times, so when mills close, when we’re having fire seasons, but also in the celebrations.”

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During her first two terms as MP, McLeod was a Parliamentary Secretary as part of the government under then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Since 2015, she was in opposition, primarily holding the role of shadow minister for Indigenous Relations.

“I absolutely preferred being in government because that’s when you have the opportunity to move your party, your goals, your aspirations forward,” she said. “But I do have to say…to serve as a shadow minister for Indigenous Affairs was really an important role and I’d like to think I partnered in many, many ways to move the government’s agenda forward where it made sense.”

While she won’t be on pins and needles awaiting results as the Conservative candidate, McLeod is involved in helping get her successor, Frank Caputo, to Ottawa.

“Election days, of course, are very busy, very exciting. You’re trying to make sure everyone you know is going to support you has the opportunity to get out to vote,” she noted. “So whether it’s driving people to the polls or whether it’s taking food to our scrutineers, I’m ready to give Frank a hand.”

She added, “Today is certainly bittersweet. I mean, the last 13 years have been a privilege, an honour, and an opportunity for me.”

McLeod says while she is likely done with politics, she will remain involved in making the community better.

“I think I will always be busy in the community, but what that’s going to look like, I’m going to take a bit of time and maybe enjoy a few golf games and a bit of time with my husband,” said McLeod. “And as I say, I’m looking for interesting opportunities.”