Catherine McKenney


Catherine McKenney is an Ottawa City Councillor representing Somerset Ward which consists of Centretown, Centretown West, and the downtown core. McKenney was first elected in the city's 2014 municipal election. An out lesbian, McKenney was the first openly LGBT woman to serve on Ottawa's city council. In 2019, McKenney stated that they are non-binary, preferring to use they/them pronouns.

Political career

Prior to holding elected office, McKenney worked as a staffer in the offices of city councillors Diane Holmes and Alex Munter, and federal Members of Parliament Ed Broadbent and Paul Dewar. McKenney supported Jim Watson in the 2014 mayoral election. Elected in 2014, McKenney is widely recognized in Ottawa circles for activism in promoting cycling and advocating for better biking infrastructure, as well as LGBT rights.

Electoral record

2018 Ottawa municipal election

2014 Ottawa municipal election