MacKay gets Foreign Affairs, ACOA
GUYSBOROUGH - Central Nova MP Peter MacKay - now the honourable Peter MacKay, let out a sigh of relief after being sworn in as Canada's new Minister of Foreign Affairs at Rideau Hall on Monday. For the 40-year-old veteran of political wars, this day was a long time coming.
"I felt an immense amount of pride and honour," MacKay told The Journal Tuesday. "It was very rewarding given that my parents were able to attend that very special moment." He said it was especially moving because his father, Elmer MacKay, had also been a cabinet minister.
Over the coming weeks, MacKay says his priority will be getting up to speed on files regarding ACOA and Foreign Affairs. "However, the priorities of the people of Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia and especially Central Nova will continue to be extremely important for me. I expect that being in government will allow me to speak for our region in a more direct manner."
Regarding the overall composition of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's new cabinet, MacKay said, "We have a young, dynamic, moderate and focused group of ministers and caucus. The cabinet is smaller which will be, I believe, more efficient in setting priorities and making decisions in the interest of all Canadians."
MacKay said he sees obvious connections between his new responsibilities and the needs of the people of Central Nova and Nova Scotia. "There are issues, economic and otherwise that do have an international component so Foreign Affairs, in some ways, can have a local impact. With regards to ACOA and the political responsibilities for Nova Scotia and PEI, it means that through me they will have a voice at the cabinet table that is very conscious of their needs."
Guysborough - Sheet Harbour MLA Ronnie Chisholm said he looks forward to working with MacKay in his new roles. "I'm really pleased that Peter has been appointed as the minister responsible for ACOA," he said. "For any economic development in Guysborough County and Sheet Harbour, ACOA has to be a big part of it and I know Peter will excel in that post."
Chisholm's enthusiasm is shared by District of Guysborough warden Lloyd Hines. "It's not too long ago that Peter was the representative for the Municipality of Guysborough and Mulgrave and Canso, and we enjoyed a great relationship with Peter through that period of time," Hines said Monday. "In opposition, he was good for follow up and if you asked him to look into something he did… he understands the municipality and the county and what the ACOA post is all about."
Peter MacKay was first elected as Member of Parliament in 1997. He was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and in 2006. Although his former riding of Pictou-Antigonish-Guysborough included all of Guysborough County, redistribution in 2004 created his current riding of Central Nova, which includes the District of St. Mary's and Sheet Harbour, but not the rest of Guysborough County.
Most recently, MacKay served as critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Prior to this, he was critic for the Prime Minister, for the Solicitor General, for Public Security, for the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and for Justice.
He has served as Progressive Conservative Party Leader, House Leader and been a member of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and its related subcommittees, including the subcommittees on Public Safety and National Security, on Agenda and Procedure and on Corrections and the Conditional Release Act.
MacKay was born in New Glasgow. After graduating with an arts degree from Acadia University in 1987, he went on to study law at Dalhousie University.
MacKay has served on a number of volunteer boards, including New Leaf and Tearmann House. As well, he has been active in Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Pictou County Senior Rugby Club and the YMCA. A sports enthusiast, he is active in rugby, baseball, football and hockey.
