Keywords Born in 1965 Politicians, Federal-Provincial

MacKay ran for federal office and on 2 June 1997 was elected Progressive Conservative MP for Pictou-Antigonish-Guysborough, in northeastern Nova Scotia. As a politician, MacKay has a certain pedigree - his father, Elmer MacKay, was solicitor general in Brian MULRONEY's Conservative government. The younger MacKay emulates his father somewhat as a critic of federal justice and national defence. His leadership campaign stressed the need to bring Canadian defence policies into line with American policies by increasing Canadian military strength and creating a single national security agency.

During his career with the provincial government, Mackay became involved in many community projects. He also served as a member of the Board of Internal Economy, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and Finance and the Sub-Committee on the Study of Sport in Canada.

During his first five years in the House of Commons, he served as House Leader for the Progressive Conservative caucus. In this capacity he represented the caucus on issues pertaining to management and operations of Parliament. He also served as the Progressive Conservative critic for law enforcement issues. MacKay resigned as House Leader in November 2002.

On 16 January 2003 MacKay announced his decision to run for leadership of the party when Joe CLARK, the party's longtime leader, announced his retirement. MacKay was the front-runner to succeed Clark, and on 31 May 2003 he became the Progressive Conservative's 23rd leader. But MacKay's leadership began with controversy. In an attempt to supersede other contenders, MacKay obtained the support of fellow candidate David Orchard, who backed MacKay in exchange for his promise to review the free-trade agreement and, more importantly, to avoid a merger between the Progressive Conservative and CANADIAN ALLIANCE parties. The latter issue had been a source of contention within the party for years. Despite some fundamental differences in party platforms, the Tories realized that rejecting the merger would leave the party in shambles.

On 16 October 2003 MacKay and Canadian Alliance leader Stephen HARPER announced the merger of their two parties under a new name - the Conservative Party of Canada. The merger was subsequently ratified by separate votes of the party memberships. On 8 December 2003 the Progressive Conservative and Alliance parties ceased to exist; the Conservative Party of Canada was born.

At first, it was thought that MacKay would run for leadership of the new party. He chose not to, however. Harper won the leadership in March 2004 and promptly named MacKay deputy leader of the party.

The subsequent federal election of 28 June 2004 saw the Conservative Party nearly wiped out in Atlantic Canada. MacKay, however, held on to his seat in Central Nova.

Author LORRAINE SNYDER Rev: TREVOR HARRISON

Links to Other Sites
Conservative Party of Canada
The official website of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Indepth: Conservative Party
A CBC feature about the Conservative Party of Canada. Check the "News Archive" for related video clips.

Members of Parliament
This site contains information about Members of Parliament and their roles, chair occupants, ministers, constituencies, elections, and election candidates. From the website of the Parliament of Canada.

Peter MacKay
The website for Peter MacKay, MP for Central Nova.