Catherine Ferguson was elected to White Rock City Council in 2005, and was elected Mayor in 2008. However, her inspiration for public service began much earlier.

Her father, George Ferguson, served as Mayor of Abbotsford for almost forty years and was one of the longest-serving Mayors in Canada.

Catherine studied business at Fraser Valley College, received a Business Certificate from Capilano College, and then took additional business courses at BCIT. She put the resulting business acumen to work, handling administration, financial statements, budgeting and audits for various private sector organizations. She was also a partner in a successful construction company for many years.

Since entering politics, Catherine has taken a common-sense approach to leadership and a keen interest in local economic issues. As a Councillor, she served as Council Liaison to both the White Rock-South Surrey Chamber of Commerce, and the White Rock Business Improvement Association. She is also a past chair of the City’s Economic Committee. Catherine was also very involved in the White Rock Tourism Strategic Plan.

At present, Catherine serves as a director with the Board of Metro Vancouver and is Chair of the City’s Intergovernmental Committee. She aslo serves as a director of the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy Committee.

Other affiliations and involvement includes:

• Member of White Rock South Surrey Chamber of Commerce
• Honorary Member of White Rock Millennium Rotary Club
• Member of the Fraser Health Municipal Government Advisory Council
• Former Chair of the Canada Day by the Bay Committee
• Recognized federally and provincially for volunteerism

Catherine has also been a strong advocate in the fight against drunk drivers. She is a past director of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Vancouver Chapter (MADD) and in 2005, was awarded the MADD Volunteer of the Year award.

She and her husband, Bob, have lived in White Rock for more than a decade.