At Tuesday’s launch of Catherine McKenna’s new memoir Run Like a Girl, the must-have accessory of the evening was tucked under just about everyone’s arm, even Prime Minister Mark Carney‘s.

Guests — including Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and former House Speaker Greg Fergus — patiently lined up to have their copies signed by McKenna, who served as Canada’s minister of environment and climate change from 2015 to 2019, and later as minister of infrastructure.

By the time her writer’s cramp had surely kicked in, the author joined emcee Lucy van Oldenbarneveld on stage in the scenic O’Born Room at the National Arts Centre for a conversation about Run Like a Girl: A Memoir of Ambition, Resilience and Fighting for Change.

The formal program also featured brief remarks from Sophia Mathur, a climate activist from Sudbury who, with other youth, took on the Ontario government over climate change, and Joanna Sivasankaran, whose first experience door-knocking with McKenna led to a career in the political arena. Most recently, Sivasankaran managed the field campaign for Carleton MP Bruce Fanjoy, whose stunning defeat of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in the spring election drew national attention.

Prime Minister Mark Carney in conversation with former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson at Catherine McKenna’s launch of her new memoir, Run Like a Girl. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand queued up with her copy for the author’s signature. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Run Like a Girl is not a political memoir, McKenna emphasized. She spoke about her book as reflecting the issues that matter most to her and challenges she’s had to overcome, all with the goal of inspiring change, which has always been, and continues to be, her driving force. Early in her career, McKenna co-founded Canadian Lawyers Abroad and was part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in East Timor.

“I hope it does inspire young women and girls to go into politics and to find their own path,” said McKenna.

McKenna and van Oldenbarneveld both grew up in Hamilton — the same hometown as role model and former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps, who was in attendance and drew a round of applause when mentioned.

From left, former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps, Beatrice Keleher-Raffoul, Carleton MP Bruce Fanjoy, board director and lawyer Penny Collenette, senior communications advisor Raylene Lang and Toronto MP Chi Nguyen (Spadina-Harbourfront) at the launch of Catherine McKenna’s Run Like a Girl memoir, held in the National Arts Centre’s O’Born Room. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Lucy van Oldenbarneveld emceed the formal program during the book launch of Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

McKenna said her years of competitive swimming as helping to prepare her for political life. At one point, her goal had been to reach the Olympics. “You wake up every day and you do the work,” said McKenna. “Some days, it’ll be hard and you won’t do well and you’re going to have to dig deeper. Sometimes, you won’t win — most of the time you probably won’t win — but you get up again.”

She talked about her Irish-born dentist father John McKenna, who passed away only a couple of years ago. She described him as “a force of nature” who loved politics. She credited her stay-at-home mother, Patricia, for prioritizing family while raising four kids. “She showed me what really matters.”

She also shared her reasons for quitting politics in 2021, well aware of the assumptions some would make, saying she couldn’t hack it. “I did what I came to do,” said the married mother of three, explaining that she left so that she could focus on tackling climate change globally.

“There’s no shame in leaving,” she continued. “It was just, like … I’m going to make a difference somewhere else, where I feel like I can actually do more now.”

Today, McKenna is the founder and CEO of global climate advisory firm Climate and Nature Solutions.

Lucy van Oldenbarneveld on stage with former federal cabinet minister Catherine McKenna to talk about her new memoir, Run Like a Girl. Photo by Caroline Phillips

McKenna said she was lucky to receive incredible support — including from her book club — during the most challenging moments in her professional and personal life (she faced threats and harassment, and her first marriage ended while she was in office).

“I did not expect the hate,” she acknowledged of the hostility directed her way. “I was like, dude, I’m just, like, some person who wakes up every morning trying to work on climate change. Like, what’s going on?”

McKenna said she cut through the noise by remaining focused on her long-term goals and leaning on her friends. “We need to recognize that politicians are nothing without the community around them. You have to have other people to keep it real.”

As for other stress relievers, the underground live music venue House of Targ on Bank Street, with its perogies and pinball machines, helped — particularly on ‘80s Dance Party night.

The author was gracious — and perhaps a bit self-aware — in letting her audience know it’s okay if they don’t read her book cover to cover, but instead pick and choose parts that most interest them. “I want you to feel like you don’t have to read every chapter. If you’re sick of my talking about carbon pricing — like, I don’t know why — you can skip that chapter.”

Fundamentally, the book is about inspiring change, she reiterated. “I’m hoping to create change, because right now we need to inspire each other. We can’t give up. Hard things are hard.”

Alternatively, in the words of the woman who stepped away from politics and seems pretty happy these days: “You can go dancing at the House of Targ — you don’t always have to take the weight of the world on.”

Rosemary Thompson, vice president (external) at Canadian Geographic/Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Prime Minister Mark Carney at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Former House Speaker Greg Fergus, holding multiple copies of Run Like a Girl, at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Infrastructure Minister Mélanie Joly, public affairs counsel Isabel Metcalfe and former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Eco-entrepreneur Chris Henderson in line to get his copy signed at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Stephanie Bolt, 17-year-old Jordan Secter with her mom, Dr. Rachel Rodin, Diana Fox Carney and award-winning author Charlotte Gray at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Gerald Butts, former principal secretary to former PM Justin Trudeau, and political author and consultant Bob Plamondon at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi with his kids, Rafi and Ellie, at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Joanna Sivasankaran delivered brief remarks at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Julie Dabrusin, minister of environment and climate change, Carleton MP Bruce Fanjoy, Ottawa MP Mona Fortier and MP James Maloney (Etobicoke—Lakeshore) at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

National Capital Commission CEO Tobi Nussbaum in the crowd at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Christopher Schlesak, co-owner and president of the North & Navy and Cantina Gia restaurants, and Sophie Beaudoin, co-owner of Viens Avec Moi Boutique and owner of Models International Management at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Sophia Mathur delivered brief remarks at the book launch for Catherine McKenna’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, held at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

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