Trust in Tara’s experienced,
authentic leadership.

Keeping it Real: The Next 4 Years

 

Cochrane has grown to nearly 40,000 people, and through it all, the spirit of community has remained our strength. The next chapter is about keeping our small-town feel as we grow, making daily life easier, affordable and connected to neighbours, services and spaces that matter to you.

 

Managing Growth Wisely

Protecting Cochrane’s small-town character while planning for smart growth.

Plan ahead so neighbourhoods have schools, services and recreation spaces close to home.

 

Improving Daily Access

Manage business, traffic and housing planning so it’s easier to get around

Create more people spaces so everyone can connect, relax and explore.

 

Listening to You

Easier ways to connect and share your voice and ideas with Council.

Regular progress updates and real conversations for real solutions.

C

Change: Growing in ways that strengthen our town, not strain it.

O

Outdoors: Trails, parks, and play spaces for everyone to enjoy.

N

Neighbourhoods: A town where you can live, work, shop & play.

N

Nature: Protecting the environment for today and tomorrow.

E

Empowerment: YOU have a real voice in decisions.

C

Community: Spaces and events that bring people together and keep that small town feel.

T

Trust: Governing Cochrane as a trust — with openness, honesty, and follow through.

Community Service

Over the past 18 years of dedicated service to Cochrane, I have had the distinct privilege of being engaged in a number of organizations and committees. I love this town and all it stands for and am proud to be part of it’s growth and direction.

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Cochrane’s Economic Recovery Task Force

Member 2020

Cochrane’s Park and Recreation Committee

Chair 2020 – Present

Alberta Trail Net

Director 2018 – 2020

Urban Municipalities Task Force

Member 2016 – 2017

“Let’s Touch the Skies!” (planning initiative addressing women’s economic security in Cochrane)

Member 2014 – 2015

Inter-municipal Committee with Rocky View County

Member 2013 – Present

Nan Boothby Memorial Library

Board Member 2008

Inter-municipal Committee with the M.D. of Bighorn

Member 2010 – 2012

Cochrane Environmental Committee

Member 2007 – 2010, 2012

Horse Program, Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation

Member 2014 – 2015

Inter-municipal Committee with Rocky View County

Member 2014 – 2015

AUMA Municipal Governance Committee

Member 2018 – 2020

Rocky View Handi-Bus Society

Director 2017 – 2018

Rocky View Foundation Board Member (for regional and affordable seniors housing)

Member 2010 – 2012

AUMA Sustainability and Environment Committee

Member 2016 – 2017

Youth Engagement Task Force

Member 2012 – 2013

Calgary Regional Partnership – Infrastructure

Member 2007 – 2008

Cochrane and Area Boys and Girls Club

Board Member 2009

Latest News

Here are some recent articles in regards to Tara’s work in our community:

Tara McFadden says her focus is on balancing growth with Cochrane’s small-town feel. She wants to improve affordable housing, transportation, and add more parks and community gathering spaces.

McFadden seeks sixth term to champion community spaces

Cochrane Eagle – Written by Izaiah Louis Reyes Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, 3:00 pm Councillor Tara McFadden has announced that she will be running for a sixth consecutive term at the upcoming 2025 elections. For Coun. Tara McFadden, public service is a serious commitment– one she constantly re-examines to ensure she’s up to the task. “Do…

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Tara McFadden says her focus is on balancing growth with Cochrane’s small-town feel. She wants to improve affordable housing, transportation, and add more parks and community gathering spaces.

Balancing growth with community spirit

McFadden’s Campaign focuses on balancing growth with community spirit Cochrane Now – Written by Noel Edey Friday, Aug 29 2025, 10:23 AM Longtime councillor Tara McFadden is seeking re-election, pledging to balance the town’s rapid growth with the “small-town feel” Cochranites treasure. McFadden was one of five candidates officially added to the candidates’ list today for…

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Best Of Cochrane

Best Of Cochrane

Awarded by public voting through Cochrane Eagle. This year, Tara was awarded the Bronze Award for Reader’s Choice of Best politician/councillor!

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Tara McFadden sets sights on town council for fifth term

Tara McFadden sets sights on town council for fifth term

Cochrane Today – Oct 6, 2021 9:00 AM By: Jessica Lee Tara McFadden said she wants to strengthen Cochrane’s connectivity, improve infrastructure and broaden engagement with residents in her run for re-election on town council. McFadden, who has served four terms on council, said her passion for community service and creating positive change is what has kept her coming back since…

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Tara McFadden fuelled by continued passion for Cochrane

Tara McFadden fuelled by continued passion for Cochrane

Written by Noel Edey Thursday, Sep 23 2021, 6:00 AMCochrane Now Tara McFadden wants to continue to make a difference in Cochrane and is seeking a fifth term on town council. “For me, it’s that continued passion for Cochrane and that desire to make a positive difference in my community for my family, neighbours, and everyone here. Cochrane…

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Councillor Tara McFadden looks to finish goals of virus-impacted term

Councillor Tara McFadden looks to finish goals of virus-impacted term

Seen in the Cochrane Times. Written by Patrick Gibson Publishing date: Sep 15, 2021 While Cochrane town councillor Tara McFadden is overall proud of the approach she and her colleagues took to their last four years, she says COVID-19 left the term feeling incomplete. “That’s perhaps what was so hard with this term is that…

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Sports Park concept plan gets thumbs up from rec committee

Sports Park concept plan gets thumbs up from rec committee

Written by Noel Edey Wednesday, Aug 04 2021, 2:30 PM The future Horse Creek Sports Park took a small step forward last night, Aug. 3, with the approval of a revamped concept plan by the Cochrane Parks and Recreation Committee. The elimination of a Southland Transportation operation from the landscape meant the park would increase in…

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Council Column: Cochranites rally together in times of crisis

Council Column: Cochranites rally together in times of crisis

With the hot days here, it is time to relax, recharge, and enjoy summer. With no Council meetings in August, this Council’s term is winding down. The break has given me time to reflect on the accomplishments of the last four years. With the hot days here, it is time to relax, recharge, and enjoy…

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Vision of major corridors OKed, review will follow in two years

Vision of major corridors OKed, review will follow in two years

Written by Noel Edey Thursday, Jul 15 2021, 4:00 PM Cochrane town council has accepted the Cochrane Corridor Plan that will help future planning and development decision-making for four major downtown corridors. The plan outlines specific directions for Griffin Rd, River Ave., Railway St., and 5th Ave.  Council debated whether it should delay approval of the plan and…

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Horse Creek Sports Park #1 priority of parks & rec committee

Horse Creek Sports Park #1 priority of parks & rec committee

Written by Noel Edey Sunday, Apr 04 2021, 12:00 PM Revising plans for the future Horse Creek Destination Sports Park is top of mind for the town’s parks and recreation committee. Committee chair and town councillor Tara McFadden says the focus this spring and summer will be to have a plan completed by the fall so…

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$75,000 grant helps Big Hill Haven enhance services

$75,000 grant helps Big Hill Haven enhance services

Written by Noel Edey Thursday, Mar 04 2021, 12:00 PM A $75,000 Community Initiatives Program (CIP) operating grant is helping the Big Hill Haven better serve women and children subjected to domestic violence in the Cochrane area. Chair Valerie Gilmore accepted a ceremonial cheque from Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie yesterday to officially acknowledge the contribution.  “This…

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Traffic important, but remember parks, recreation, says McFadden

Traffic important, but remember parks, recreation, says McFadden

Written by Noel Edey Monday, Nov 16 2020, 9:51 AM In advance of the budget deliberations, Councillor Tara McFadden asked her fellow councillors to remember the needs of residents recreating in open spaces and parks. McFadden chairs the town’s parks and recreation committee and says they have heard from user groups anxious to move forward with…

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Councillor Tara McFadden reflects upon the transformative decade

Councillor Tara McFadden reflects upon the transformative decade

Written by Noel Edey Thursday, Jan 09 2020, 5:00 AM Cochrane is charging forward into a new decade, built upon a foundation laid in the transformative 2010s. Tara McFadden, the only member of the council who served through all of it, stopped and collected her thoughts on what has transpired in the last 10 years. One…

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McFadden Wants Comprehensive Look at Future of Griffin Corridor

McFadden Wants Comprehensive Look at Future of Griffin Corridor

Written by Noel Edey Wednesday, May 16 2018, 4:41 PM Town Councillor Tara McFadden isn’t thinking about today or tomorrow. She’s looking to the future of the Griffin Road corridor as it evolves into the third section of our downtown. At Monday’s council meeting, McFadden gave notice of a motion to have the town administration investigate…

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Parks and Recreation Board being created; policing committee remains dormant

Parks and Recreation Board being created; policing committee remains dormant

Written by Noel Edey Tuesday, Jan 23 2018, 7:56 AM One committee is being pursued; another has been left dormant. New Parks and Recreation Committee Cochrane town council supported Councillor Tara McFadden’s initiative to create a parks and recreation committee that will include members of the public.  Administration has been asked to develop the terms of…

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Fundraising goal smashed, Calgary to Cochrane trail one step closer to reality

Fundraising goal smashed, Calgary to Cochrane trail one step closer to reality

Annalise Klingbeil  •  Calgary Herald Publishing date: Jul 19, 2015 Just over four months ago, the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation announced a fundraising campaign with a mission to collect $100,000 in donations to begin construction of Bearspaw Trail, the first phase of the massive $7.5 million pathway network. Over the weekend, the organization announced $194,732.48 in donations…

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Want to help?

We need to get the word out that Tara McFadden is running for re-election this year! Tara is busy knocking on doors and listening to constituents to stay on top of the issues that matter to the people of Cochrane.

 

Here are the ways you can get involved!

Volunteer
Request Yard Sign
Donate Today!

Testimonials

Check out what people say about Tara!

Tara’s information communications and responsiveness to Environmental Reserve concerns affecting my community and street in Riversong have greatly exceeded all the other members of Town Council.

– Ron Weedmark

Exceeded all the other members

I have always valued Tara’s impartial, analytical approach. I can trust her to evaluate issues and opportunities not from a partisan lens but with an intelligent and practical approach. She understands Cochrane deeply and looks to find workable solutions. 

– Alanna

She understands Cochrane deeply

Tara is community-minded, involved, and compassionate. She is prudent with our tax revenue while still being forward-thinking and promoting the best parts of Cochrane. Whenever I walk the pathway down to the River I remember her ability to bring a project to completion as well as her desire to connect communities and people. 

– Scott

Community-minded, involved, and compassionate

Tara and I worked on the Parks and Recs Committee. Her vast experience with town operations and protocols were invaluable to the Committee. Tara had demonstrated good leadership skills, keeping meetings on task, but listening to all opinions respectfully,

– Neil McNeil

Listening to all opinions respectfully

After serving on the Cochrane’s Park & Recreation committee for four years with Tara on the chair representing council, I witnessed her leadership skills throughout that term. Her town history on previous councils was certainly an asset in our discussions.

– Lloyd Manning

An easy choice for me

She points one way, I pull the other –  yet we always make it through to the finish together. Count on Tara (even if I still think my way’s better).”

– Pratt the Brat

Count on Tara!

Questions? Comments?

As your representative with Town Council, Tara welcomes any opportunity to connect with you!