Vince McKay

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

Procedure and Privileges
Vince McKay
Hay River South
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143
Minister
Email
Email
Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Minister Responsible for Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, Minister Responsible for the Public Utilities Board

Statements in Debates

Tabled Document 284-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 17: Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 41)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Plain Language Summary for Bill 17, Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act; and Statement of Consistency for Bill 17, Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister’s Statement 90-20(1): Tsiigehtchic Hamlet Established
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 41)

Drin Gwiinzii, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize the establishment of the hamlet of Tsiigehtchic. The new hamlet’s first mayor and council were sworn in on January 15, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the community of Tsiigehtchic and the Northwest Territories.

Tsiigehtchic is a community with rich cultural heritage, deeply connected to the Gwich’in people and their traditional lands. The journey to become a hamlet has been a long one, beginning in 2019 when the residents initiated a petition seeking a change from a chartered community status. This led to the consultation with...

Bill 17: Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendments Act
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 40)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 17, Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendments Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 445-20(1): Modernization of Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Program
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think there was a lot of hardship through the territories with the disasters in no particular riding. I think there was a lot of impacts to people's livelihoods. And, you know, we've all worked through them. The government's worked through them and trying to get federal funding to these impacted residents. However, this new DFAA is starting off April 1st. It is not retroactive and doesn't cover off any previous emergencies. Thank you.

Question 445-20(1): Modernization of Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Program
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not aware of any funding that we're sitting on. The money that is approved or that has been sent to us is for estimated disaster costs through what the department has received through the estimates. And that covers off emergency or any expense claims that are eligible through the DFAA. So those claims are being put through and as part of the cycle, we have to account for all that money is being processed. So as far as I'm aware, we're not sitting on any money. This is money that's all accounted for and being transferred to impacted residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 445-20(1): Modernization of Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Program
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member's probably aware, the program is a federal program and we adopt it or utilize it in order to get funds back from the federal government during an emergency. So some of the changes that have happened in the new update, they have the new strategic investment. This increases funding for disaster mitigation, building back better to minimize impacts and future risks; the risk reduction incentives, encouraging pre-disaster planning; hazard awareness to proactively reduce disaster impacts; also has expanded supports, more help for people experiencing significant...

Bill 17: Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 38)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, February 7th, 2025, I will present Bill 17, Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 66-20(1): Committee Report 17-20(1): Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Interim Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – Ministers’ Statements in Committee of the Whole, Ca...
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 38)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be voting "no" against these two recommendations, so I thought it was important that I say a few words as I am a Member of this committee, and I felt it was only fair for me to explain myself.

As a Member and a new Member to the Legislative Assembly, we go sometimes into these meetings, and there's a lot of information, a lot of dialogue going on with all this stuff, and sometimes you don't realize the outcome of these recommendations until you've talked to experienced Members, past Members, and realizing the outcome of a recommendation like this. I believe that...

Member’s Statement 438-20(1): Hay River Curling Team Success
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 38)

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take the opportunity to welcome back all my colleagues to the Legislative Assembly, welcome back all the staff, and welcome back all the interpreters to the Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, Hay River hosted the territorial trials for the Montana's Brier which, by the way, is being held February 28th and March 9th in Kelowna, BC. I'd like to think of this as Hay River's unofficial warmup before we send our champions to Kelowna to battle the best curlers out there. I'm proud to announce that the Hay River team will be representing the Northwest Territories at...

Tabled Document 234-20(1): Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Northwest Territories and Nunavut Annual Report 2023
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 37)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission Northwest Territories and Nunavut Annual Report 2023. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.