Marlene Catterall remembered as accomplished politician, trailblazer for women

Tributes are pouring in for Marlene Catterall, a former Ottawa city councillor, member of Parliament and the first woman to become the chief government whip.

Catterall, described as a trailblazer who broke barriers for women, died Monday. She was 85.

Catterall, who was born in Ottawa, was elected as a Liberal MP in 1988 and was re-elected over the following four terms, finally retiring from her storied political career in 2006.

"We knew that was a big deal, having a government whip that was a woman," said Bay ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh.

"It doesn't seem like a new idea now, but it was then. So it was a breakthrough. It was a perfect job for her."

Then Liberal leader Paul Martin raises the arms of Ottawa-area candidates Marlene Catterall, left, and Marc Godbout, right, during a rally in Ottawa on June 20, 2004. (The Canadian Press/Fred Chartrand)

Kavanagh said she and Catterall were political rivals early on, but Catterall soon became a mentor and a friend.

During her time in federal politics, Catterall represented Ottawa West and later Ottawa West–Nepean. She also sat on Ottawa's pre-amalgamation city council from 1976 to 1985, and ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Jim Durrell.

Before entering politics, Catterall taught high school.

Kavanagh recalled Catterall as a challenging opponent.

"Don't go up against her without knowing what you're up against because she's tough. She's smart, but for the right reasons," Kavanagh told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning on Wednesday.

Prime minister sends condolences 

On social media, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Catterall's "tireless work as a social activist, politician, and Canada's first female Chief Government Whip opened countless doors for future generations."

Last year, Catterall received a Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, acknowledging those who have worked for gender equality. Catterall received the award in part for her work helping to secure pay equity for women in the public service.

"I'm sending my deepest condolences to her loved ones," the prime minister said.

'Politics never left her'

Sheila Copps, who served as heritage minister and deputy prime minister under Jean Chrétien, called Catterall "a joyful partner, mother and friend" who was "always there for those in need."

"When she left politics, politics never left her," Copps said. "She stayed involved on issues ... and even when she was walking with a walker and with oxygen provided, she was still ready to take on a battle, which was kind of who she was."

Catterall was considered instrumental in getting the Famous Five monument on Parliament Hill, now seen on the Plaza Bridge near the Senate of Canada as Centre Block undergoes construction.

Sheila Copps, former deputy prime minister, remembered Catterall as a friend and a colleague. (Natalia Goodwin/CBC)

The statue is a tribute to Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Emily Murphy and Henrietta Muir Edwards, who appealed a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada that ruled women could not be appointed to the Senate.

Copps said the placement of the Famous Five monument was contentious at the time.

She said the Speaker of the House at the time, Gilbert Parent, told Copps and Catterall that only statues of heads of state were permitted on Parliament Hill, but eventually conceded that if they could "get everybody on board," the monument could go up.

"Everybody was on board. I had spoken to everybody, including all the opposition leaders, the women in the opposition, but I had forgotten to speak to [then-Liberal MP] John Nunziata," Copps said. "And John, being a bit of a curmudgeon because he hadn't been spoken to, kept objecting, objecting, objecting."

Copps said Catterall ultimately got the bill through by calling then-Liberal MP Jean Augustine, who proposed the bill, at an opportune moment.

Copps said Catterall told Augustine to "get over here, John's in the can! ... We managed to put the thing through Parliament while he was in the bathroom. All the women got together and made it happen."

The statue of Nelly McClung, along with other members of the Famous Five, stood on Parliament Hill until renovations began in 2019, when they were temporarily relocated. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson called Catterall a trailblazer for women in politics, saying he was pleased his council was able to offer their own tribute to the longtime city activist, naming a park in her honour.

Kavanagh said gaining Catterall's political support was "huge," and the advice she received from her mentor has stuck with her.

"Basically, just stick to your guns. Stick up for your community," the councillor said. "She really was big on equity. She understood the importance of it. "