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 133-20(1): Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 186-20(1): Addressing Erosion in Aklavik
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document: Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 186-20(1): Addressing Erosion in Aklavik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 296-20(1): Federal Funding for Enterprise
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I have. And currently, as I stated, they are being housed through the disaster assistance program. Thank you.

Question 296-20(1): Federal Funding for Enterprise
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the thing to remember here is the disaster assistance program is a federal program. And just to be clear, it clearly states in the policy, for the disaster assistance policy, that it is not an insurance program. Residents who have no insurance that have been affected by the wildfire are being taken care of. They are being housed by the program. So they are being housed until -- I believe right now until the end of August pending some more communication with the DFAA.

I will add, though, Mr. Speaker, that we have to remember that the wildfire -- fire insurance is...

Member’s Statement 303-20(1): Message of Congratulations to Hay River Graduates
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a proud representative of the Hay River, I rise today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduating classes of Hay River. This is a very special occasion not only for the students but for our entire community as we celebrate the achievements and potential of these young individuals.

To the graduating students, I want to commend you for your hard work, determination, and resilience throughout your academic journey. As you prepare on the next chapter of your lives, I encourage you to reflect on the values and lessons you have learned during your time in...

Question 286-20(1): Incident Command System for Emergencies
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I'm aware of is nothing has been fully done or looked at yet until the afteraction review is complete that we're currently doing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 286-20(1): Incident Command System for Emergencies
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ICS program is a nationally and internationally recognized program. It's a common one that's used for these types of incidents. I'm interested in looking at this and seeing what we can do to develop it; however, I don't know what our grounds are on fully dictating to the communities what their EMO structures may look like. But at the end of the day, the department does work with the communities to establish these guidelines and assist them in developing them, which also includes recommending the type of training and offering some free training to the communities so...

Question 286-20(1): Incident Command System for Emergencies
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently, with the Act and the regulations, we don't have detail to that level; however, I am looking forward after the afteraction review is complete to reviewing all these documents to see what changes need to or may need to be changed. Currently, MACA does offer the incident command system training, the ICS100, to all community levels, but we do not mandate it at that time. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 286-20(1): Incident Command System for Emergencies
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we pretty much already do a lot of that stuff. We do offer the communities support with the development of the emergency plans and also provide the training. So yes, I will consider what the Member's requesting. Thank you.

Question 273-20(1): Infrastructure Funding for N’dilo
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The city of Yellowknife and Yellowknives Dene First Nation jointly submitted a boundary change request under the Executive Council Community Boundaries Policy. In December 2022, MACA requested additional information from the city regarding the proposed boundary line and its impact on adjacent land and improvements. The city provided its response in December 2023.

During the December 2022 meeting between DKFN and the city and MACA, a DKFN representative indicated that they were reviewing their land withdrawal areas and considering changes that might impact the proposed...

Question 273-20(1): Infrastructure Funding for N’dilo
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to discuss a timeline, the DKFN would have to make the separate submission on behalf of the residents of N'dilo to be considered a separate community government once boundary issues have been resolved with the city of Yellowknife. If a newer community is formed, MACA's current community funding budget would be reallocated amongst 33 communities rather than 32. Thank you.