As 2025 draws to a close, Saskatoon Ward 1 City Councillor Kathryn MacDonald is reflecting on a formative first year in office, describing it as a significant confidence builder. In a year-end check-in with the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, MacDonald was among five first-term councillors who shared their experiences.
Navigating a Complex System
MacDonald, who represents areas including City Park, Mayfair, Forest Grove, and Sutherland, entered the role with few preconceived notions. She admits the municipal system is complex, with "many moving parts." Her approach has been one of cautious learning, aided by city administration, particularly in understanding the workings of advisory committees. "I know from other jobs and other councillors that sometimes if you try to figure it out too quickly you can kind of trap yourself into unfavorable situations," she noted.
Budget Deliberations and Finding Her Voice
The recent 2026-27 budget deliberations served as a critical learning ground. While some councillors expressed disappointment over not achieving a lower mill rate, MacDonald acknowledged the inherent challenges. "Some people are going to be disappointed that they didn’t get what they want," she said, but praised the process for providing more context than the previous budget cycle.
She highlighted pride in council's decision to protect important community initiatives from a list of 108 potential cuts. However, the process also revealed areas for improvement. MacDonald pointed to a specific transit fare report that arrived late, giving councillors only one day to review a 50-page document. "It didn’t give them much time for due diligence," she stated, after her motion to delay the report was defeated.
A Critical Intervention on Communications
Perhaps the most telling moment of MacDonald's growing confidence came during the budget voting. She noticed a crucial item, "addressing communications gaps in radio system," had been overlooked and was at risk of not receiving funding. This project was vital for the radio system used by Saskatoon Fire and other first responders, a system that had already failed for three hours in an incident this year.
MacDonald spoke up and successfully moved to add the item back into the budget, preventing a potential gap in critical emergency infrastructure. This experience underscored her key lesson from the year: "It’s important to develop the confidence to speak up as a councillor, and push back when necessary."
Looking ahead, MacDonald emphasized that councillors must stand behind their decisions while adapting to new projects, such as the upcoming Bus Rapid Transit Link system. Her first year has been defined by learning the intricate machinery of City Hall and, most importantly, finding her voice within it.
