A native of Verdun, Quebec, Mr. Mc Kenzie obtained a licence in law and a graduate degree in notarial law from Laval University in 1978 and subsequently practiced law in the Montreal area. He then worked at the Kativik Regional Government on the implementation of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. In 1982, he joined the Public Service of Canada where he has held numerous positions, including:

• Assistant Deputy Minister, Canada Economic Development (Québec)
• Assistant Secretary, Year 2000 Project Office, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat;
• Communications Coordinator and National Spokesperson for the Government of Canada on Year 2000 (Y2K) issues in addition to his functions as Assistant Secretary;
• Executive Director of Communication Canada
• Associate Deputy Head of Infrastructure Canada;
• currently, Associate Deputy Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities with particular responsibility for Crown corporations.