2025 Candidate Q’s: Cathy Couey

Thank you High River residents for taking the time to ask our 2025 Municipal Election Candidates the many questions before and at the All-Candidates Forum. 

While we couldn’t get all the questions answered in person, we did go through the questions, remove the redundancy and have the Most Asked questions below that our candidates were invited to answer AFTER the forum.

Read on to learn more about your candidates and the issues that have been top of mind for our engaged citizens.

Email to ask questions: coueyforcouncil2025@gmail.com

What does advocacy mean to you and how best do/will you practice this attribute of leadership?

To me, advocacy starts with learning and understanding. Before I champion any cause or situation, I make sure I’m informed—so I can speak to it confidently and use that knowledge to make a meaningful impact.

What is your position on water conservation?

Water is our number 1 resource and we can't take protection and conservation of it lightly.

A lot of the candidates talk about local economy specifically; how do you plan to grow the economy?  And how do you plan to encourage sustainable growth?

Growth within our economy comes by providing the foundation in which businesses and people can thrive. Processes while they have their place need to be streamlined and user friendly in order for people to feel like they are moving forwarded and valued.

Growth needs to occur but it has to be well planned and the cost of that growth can not fall on the backs of the existing residents. I feel by creating a well-rounded community, providing the necessary infrastructure, offering a variety amenities to make it attractive and encouraging well-thought out neighborhoods that growth will occur as a result.

How do you plan on responding to the growing needs of the youth demographics (ages 10 to 16) of High River to help retain or bring them back when they become adults?

If we want to understand what matters to our youth, we need to engage with them directly. Someone under 16 might not have a fully formed vision of their future community—but that doesn’t mean their voice doesn’t count. I believe that creating a well-rounded, inclusive town is key to keeping young people connected and encouraging them to stay or return as adults. And that starts with listening to what they care about today.

With an aging population and increase in disabled persons in our town, what steps do you propose to ensure a meaningful life for all residents?

Creating a inclusive community needs to be a priority and is part of being a well-rounded one. The Towns involvement and support of FCSS and Westwinds communities is essential as these organizations are the experts when is come to our seniors, disabled and vulnerable population, they offer valuable resources and are plugged into these demographics. Future neighborhoods need to be built with inclusiveness in mind as well as when upgrading existing ones.

What does urban sustainability mean to you?

The focus on building communities that meet the needs of today and future generations. Finding balance with everything that makes it a well-rounded community and offer a good quality of life. Along with a focus on sustainable design and resource management