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

Vince McKay
Hay River South
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Minister's Office
Email

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 75)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, I will present Bill 41, An Act to Amend the Real Estate Agents Licensing Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The strategic planning and the work that's been going on has actually been slowed down in order to wait for DND, essentially a What We Heard was coming, and now that we know a little bit more, the work is ongoing and there is plans with the strategic planning and everything else that's been going on with the Department of National Defence to build that all into the Yellowknife airport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, again, I appreciate the interest on radon mitigation, you know, and I will review the jurisdictional scan that is going to be tabled. However, radon mitigation in private homes, again, is not the responsibility of Municipal and Community Affairs. And as a former municipal councillor and government official myself, I -- you know, I'm always happy to hear from municipal leaders on the issues that are important to their communities. Any discussion on radon would focus on sharing information, helping direct communities to possible external resources rather than...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So radon testing in private homes is not within the mandate or authority of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. And do I appreciate the Member's desire to coordinate; however, MACA does not oversee environmental health issues and this is not in the area that MACA has any funding for or staff supports for. However, I will say, though, just because of, you know, the concern that we have, you know, I'm interested in collaborating with the Member to try to get resources available for residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, this is ongoing work with the Department of National Defence, and the Department of Infrastructure is constantly working with them. I would hate to say that we're going ahead to do something at the Yellowknife airport that goes against their plans and definitely puts us back. So, again, this is an ongoing working thing with the Department of National Defence, and we continue to work with them in order to achieve their goals and what they're trying to do in the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife and Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is probably aware that the Yellowknife airport is going through strategic planning sessions on the type of work that needs to be done at the Yellowknife airport. Those are ongoing. They've completed public engagement and are continuing with the engagement. So the Department of National Defence and the Department of Infrastructure and the Government of the Northwest Territories have all been communicating on the types of assets and resources that are required for their projects at the airports. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's something we can discuss with the Housing NWT; however, I'm not going to commit to anything on behalf of Housing NWT. And radon testing and mitigation in private residential dwellings is not an area that MACA holds responsibility for. As such, MACA is not lead with coordinating work on radon testing initiatives. The federal government has a lot of information for action plans for municipalities, and also the Department of Health and Social Services has a great website on radon information in the Northwest Territories, and I've also asked the department to share...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 72)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 63-20(1): Creation of an Emergency Management Agency for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 72)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Listen, I don't disagree with the Member. This is a commitment that has been -- with the Member, sorry. This is a commitment that's been made. It's been on the table for a long time. The department is continually working on it. Like I said, the priorities of the Legislative Assembly and legislative proposals are all -- yeah, they're all there, and sometimes these ones get pushed on the back burner a little bit. It depends on what the appetite of all the Members are, and apparently this one here has been slowed down a little bit. But, again, the commitment is to have...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 72)

Yes, we're committed to looking at getting it done.