About Cathy

Cathy McLeod was elected to the House of Commons in October 2008 by the residents of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo.  Since coming to office, Cathy has worked on the Standing Committees on Health and the Status of Women, and is a member of the Canada-China Legislative Association, the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association, and the Canada-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group.  She is also a member of the all-party parliamentary Energy Caucus, Forestry Caucus, and Rural Caucus, and has recently been appointed vice-chair of the all-party Arts Caucus.  In her current role being an engaged and active member of parliament is a priority second only to serving her communities and constituents effectively.

Prior political experience includes first serving as a Councillor, then as Mayor of Pemberton from 1993-1999.   During this period she established herself as a leader and someone who is dedicated to the needs of the community. She also served as a director for the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. Cathy’s four years at the In-shuck-ch treaty table as a Municipal Provincial team delegate helped her develop a more comprehensive understanding of the significant challenges Aboriginal communities face.

Cathy graduated as a registered nurse in 1981 and served in that capacity for a number of years in both urban and rural settings.  She also gained invaluable experience in an administrative capacity when she managed a number of health care centers, including Pemberton, Logan Lake, Chase and Kamloops Downtown Health Centre.  In 2004 she assumed a leadership role with the Interior Health Authority, focusing on primary health care reform and restructuring our system to better serve Canadians.  

The recent completion of a Master’s Degree in International Primary Health Care from the University of London has served her well as a member of the Health Committee.  

Cathy has been a resident of British Columbia for the past 27 years, and has lived in Kamloops since 1999. She is married to Gord and has three young adult children.