My name is Darren MacDonald, and I am running for a fourth term as a city councillor in Martensville. I’ve lived here my entire life, and together with my wife Angie, we’re raising our four children in this community. I work as an Associate Portfolio Manager and Financial Planner, and in my free time, you’ll find me driving my kids to their activities, playing slo-pitch or volunteering as a coach for hockey, baseball, softball, and volleyball.
What previous experience have you had that you feel would benefit you in this position if elected? – I bring 12 years of experience on City Council, in addition to a lifetime of growing up here and seeing our community grow. Over these years, I’ve served on several committees and worked alongside council members to tackle the issues Martensville faces. I’ve seen our community grow and improve, and I’m eager to keep contributing to that progress.
What made you want to run in this election? – My motivation today is the same as it was 12 years ago. As a kid, not much changed in Martensville, but by the time I decided to run in 2012, we were starting to see real improvements. I wanted to be part of that positive momentum and help keep it going. Martensville has grown in many ways I’m proud of, and I believe there’s still so much more ahead.
What is your main platform in this election? – My platform is about seeing Martensville continue to improve while balancing growth with fiscal responsibility. This means maintaining high-quality services, supporting and updating our existing infrastructure, and planning for future projects—while keeping property tax increases at a reasonable level. To do this, we need a more diversified tax base. Martensville remains a bedroom community, with most residents commuting for work and services. We need to continue to expand our non-residential tax base. This not only supports local services and job creation but is essential for funding future projects without overburdening residents.
What are your thoughts on Martensville’s current economic development, and how do you think it could be improved? – When I was growing up, our population limited the types of businesses we could attract. Since 2007, as Martensville has grown, we’ve reached a point where more local businesses can thrive. Now, we’re close to a tipping point where Martensville can shift from being just a bedroom community to a place where people live, work, and build businesses. By supporting smart growth and keeping our community attractive for businesses and residents alike, we can take full advantage of this opportunity.
