Member Hay River South

Minister of Infrastructure
Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs
Minister Responsible for Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission
Minister Responsible for the Public Utilities Board

Vince McKay was elected to the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Hay River South. Mr. McKay was elected to the Executive Council of the 20th Assembly.

Mr. McKay was born on September 17, 1977, in the picturesque town of Hay River.

With a career spanning an impressive 26 years with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). Mr. McKay began his journey as a Corrections Officer, steadily climbing the ranks to become a trusted Corrections Supervisor. His leadership acumen led him to the esteemed position of Deputy Warden and eventually to the Directorship of the Investigations and Standards Office (ISO). In each role he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and the betterment of his community.

Mr. McKay’s dedication to the safety and well-being of Hay River residents extends to his 30-year tenure with the Hay River Fire Department. His legacy is further solidified by his ownership and operation of Westech Fire and Safety since 1999, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the highest standards of safety.

In the realm of civic duty, Mr. McKay has been an integral part of the Hay River Town Council for an impressive 15 years. His tenure has been marked by a steadfast focus on community development, thoughtful governance, and a genuine concern for the welfare of his fellow citizens. His impact on the town council has left an indelible mark, earning him respect and admiration from colleagues and constituents alike.

Family lies at the heart of Mr. McKay’s life, with his wife, Barbara, and two children. Together, they form a united front that has weathered the challenges of a life devoted to public service.

Away from the rigors of his professional life, Mr. McKay finds solace and joy in a myriad of hobbies. An avid sports enthusiast, he can be found on the ice, or navigating the fairways with a golf club in hand. His love for the great outdoors is evident in his passion for camping, fishing, boating, and playing softball—activities that provide a well-deserved respite from the demands of his roles.

Hay River South Electoral District

Committees

Vince McKay
Hay River South
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Minister
Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Minister Responsible for Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, Minister Responsible for the Public Utilities Board

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Thank you. I'm going to pass this off to the deputy minister to answer that question. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. And no question this is tough work, and a lot of it, you know, again is volunteerism. Like any other NGO, I believe there's programs out there that they can, you know, try to attract and maybe support themselves, and I think there's a few departments that have funds available that could potentially be useful to that NGO. But right now, a lot of the funds that we have are available for local governments when they go to stand up in a ground search and rescue incident and get things going. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One of them is a training position at the school community governments. That's moved out to -- from Yellowknife. And the other one, I believe, is the one in Inuvik which is the climate change initiative position.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm sure the Member can appreciate that a lot of the other centres are a lot bigger and can have the capacity and the resources and the people to do that whereas we don't. So we do, essentially, have a separate entity within MACA that is able to stand up and set up in case of an emergency. So we have our EMO court manager, and they have the resources to stand up a team separate from essentially MACA with some people essentially filling roles within that to stand up during an emergency, like our casual or relief EMO assistant people that we're advertising. Thanks.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my right, I have deputy minister Gary Brennan. And to my left, I have Catherine Boyd, director of corporate affairs.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. We haven't, but a lot of those programs are related essentially with that department. For an example, like hunters and trappers with ECC, yes. That follows along that line of -- you know, the regulations and the, yeah, hunting and trapping rules and regs and all that stuff, so.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the comments and, you know, to be honest, no, we don't have the resources within the department. But that being said, if -- I mean, if it shows that we have the opportunity to take in some, you know, good revenue, I'm sure we can find a way to stand up a position. But that's something we'd have to bring forward after investigating more of this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

I'll ask the deputy minister to respond, please.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 47)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate all nominees for the 2024 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards and to celebrate this year's award winners. Since the establishment in 1991, the Outstanding Volunteer Awards program has recognized extraordinary volunteers and highlighted the essential role of volunteerism in the Northwest Territories.

Volunteering is a true labour of love, often done without expectation of recognition, but today, we have the privilege of shining a well-deserved spotlight on those who contribute and have an impact on their communities. These individuals exemplify the spirit...