The Federal Government is maintaining military capabilities and building on
Canada’s rich military heritage. On Friday, April 19th join Minister
MacKay as he discusses how the Canadian Armed Forces are moving forward with a “Decade
of Delivery”.
Peter MacKay was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. After graduating with an
arts degree from Acadia University in 1987, he studied law at Dalhousie
University and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in June 1991. With strong
family ties to the local area, he returned to New Glasgow to open a private law
practice specializing in criminal and family law. In 1993, he accepted an
appointment as Crown Attorney for the Central Region of Nova Scotia. He
prosecuted cases at all levels, including youth and provincial courts as well
as the Supreme Court of Canada.
Mr. MacKay was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1997. He was
re-elected in his northern Nova Scotia constituency in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008
and 2011. On May 18th, 2011, Mr. MacKay was reappointed as Minister of National
Defence. Mr. MacKay also serves as Regional Minister for Nova Scotia.
In his first five years in the House of Commons, he served as House Leader
for the Progressive Conservative caucus. On May 31, 2003, Mr. MacKay was
elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. In March 2004,
following the unification of the Progressive Conservative Party and the
Canadian Alliance Party, he was named Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party
of Canada.
Prior to his current responsibilities, Mr. MacKay served as Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and
Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
He has served on several volunteer boards, including New Leaf and Tearmann
House as well as being active in Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Pictou County
Senior Rugby Club and the YMCA.
A sports enthusiast, Mr. MacKay enjoys running, rugby, baseball, football
and hockey. He is married to human rights activist Nazanin Afshin -Jam MacKay.
