Meet McKenney

Termination Day

ABOVE THE FOLD

Q+A — CATHERINE McKENNEY is in it for the long run — literally. As a marathon runner, they’re used to playing the long game not only on the track, but when it comes to the political arena, too.

So perhaps that’s why the former longtime Ottawa city councillor and mayoral runner-up has just now found themself joining the ranks of the provincial NDP after clinching a victory in Ottawa Centre, previously held by now-federal contender JOEL HARDEN.

Here, I spoke with the rookie MPP about the persistent pull of provincial politics, what it’s like to lose and then put yourself out there again, Ottawa’s ongoing beef with the Premier, real talk about the NDP, and haters on the campaign trail.

Why pick provincial politics? What can you do at Queen’s Park that you couldn’t do at City Hall? “Well, I wouldn’t phrase it that way. When I left City Hall, it was after a mayoral run that, you know, I wasn’t successful at and I have to be honest with you the longer I was out of politics…I t…