Connie Boland
Special to The Telegram
Meet St. John’s lawyer Caitlin Urquhart — activist, advocate, adventurer. Otter enthusiast.
“They are adorable, but also incredibly smart, and completely badass,” the chair of the Canadian Bar Association — Women Lawyers Forum Newfoundland and Labrador branch, writes of otters on the CBA website. “Despite their cute and fuzzy appearance, you don’t want to cross them. They can be vicious. The females (called bitches) raft together for support and protection.”
Rafting together — creating a circle of individuals focused on resilience and positivity — is a concept that’s familiar to Urquhart.
Urquhart’s determination and passion for political and social change was evident at the Muskrat Falls Inquiry, during which she championed Grand Riverkeeper Labrador Inc. and the Labrador Land Protectors.
The volunteer with the St. John’s Status of Women Council envisions publicly funded family law and child welfare services. “Too many people lack the means and therefore the access to quality legal services,” she explains.
Urquhart’s determination and passion for political and social change was evident at the Muskrat Falls Inquiry, during which she championed Grand Riverkeeper Labrador Inc. and the Labrador Land Protectors.
“It was a great responsibility to represent their interests and to convey their experiences,” says Urquhart, who’s with the firm Smyth, Woodland, Del Rizo, Barrett.
“I learned a lot from the commission, but I learned even more from my clients who worked tirelessly to protect the river, against all odds, after pursuing every legitimate avenue to have their concerns addressed, ultimately were silenced and criminalized. Their dedication and persistence inspire and inform my activism.”
Urquhart is an active member of the provincial branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and volunteers with Access to Justice Legal Clinics.
An outdoor adventurer, she has hiked the Long Range Traverse (a challenging, multi-day trek) in Gros Morne National Park, enjoys
cross-country skiing, cycling, and exploring Newfoundland and Labrador.
Urquhart took to Twitter April 1, encouraging people to spend their dollars at home to help the local tourism industry, when travel restrictions due to COVID-19 are lifted.
Preparing for the day when bay-cations will once again be part of an active lifestyle, Urquhart asked followers to vote for her next excellent adventure — hiking in Harbour Breton, paddling on the Exploits, kayaking in Burgeo, or cycling in Norris Point.
In the court of public opinion, majority rules.
1. What is your full name?
Caitlin Urquhart
2. Where and when were you born?
Kingston, Ont.
3. Where do you live today?
Downtown, St. John’s.
4. What’s your favourite place in the world?
Prince Edward County, Ontario. That’s where my paternal grandparents had their farm and we spent many summer days at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Also, that’s where my partner and I had our first date.
5. Who do you follow on social media?
Melissa Royle — she’s hilarious. And Martha Paynter, a reproductive rights activist and registered nurse.
6. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
My partner and I spent our honeymoon in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. We had a lovely room at the Royal Inn and paddled in the Great Labrador Canoe Race, from Goose River to Gosling Park Beach on Gosling Lake. A pair of wrestling sea otters bumped into my kayak in Elkhorn Slough, Calif., and nearly knocked me out of the boat. I ran with the bulls in Pamplona.
7. What’s been your favourite year and why?
My favourite year is 2016. My partner and I had recently moved to St. John’s and were making many lifelong friends. We spent our weekends exploring the island, cross-country skiing, hiking, cycling and taking in this spectacular province. We learned to make traditional meals, like Jiggs’ and fish and brewis. We caught caplin, saw whales and hiked the Long Range Traverse in Gros Morne.
8. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
The Muskrat Falls Inquiry was incredibly rewarding and challenging at the same time.
9. Can you describe one experience that changed your life?
Meeting my partner nearly 10 years ago. I feel lucky to have a partner who challenges and motivates me, but also puts up with my messiness, chronic overcommitments and terrible lack of a sense of time (or direction). I would not be able to do what I do without his support.
10. What’s your greatest indulgence?
Neko Atsume (a cat game for your phone).
11. What is your favourite movie or book?
“Eagle vs. Shark,” a quirky romcom written and directed by Taika Waititi.
12. How do you like to relax?
Cuddle my cats. Hang out with and ride my horse, or stare at the ocean playing whale or wave.
13. What are you reading or watching right now?
I just started reading Cherie Dimaline’s “Empire of Wild,” and I’m listening to “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” on audiobook. I’m quite polyamorous with my books. I have a stack of about six books next to my bed and I’ll pick up whichever book I'm in the mood for that day.
14. What is your greatest fear?
Missing an important event or meeting. I try so hard, but I’m notoriously bad at scheduling and prone to overbooking and double booking.
15. How would you describe your personal fashion statement?
A friend once told me “One thing I like about you is that you always look like you got dressed in the dark.” I love loud patterns, lots of them, all together.
16. What is your most treasured possession?
My Nana gave me a locket for my 20th birthday. Both my grandfathers died the following year. I keep their pictures in the locket, so they stay close to my heart.
17. What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?
I come from a long line of very stubborn and self-sufficient women (on both sides of my family).
18. What three people would join you for your dream dinner party?
1. Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Inuit activist and environmentalist
2. Michelle Obama, lawyer, author and excellent orator
3. Rosemary Barton, political journalist and shoe aficionado (as I noted before, I could probably use some tips).
19. What is your best quality, and what is your worst quality?
My baseline enthusiasm is high, so I say yes to everything. I have an ambitious sense of time, so I'm often (always) late.
20. What’s your biggest regret?
Being mean and selfish as a youngster. You never know what others are going through and it costs you nothing to be kind.