The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Central Nova (Nova Scotia)

Peter MacKay was sworn in as Minister of Foreign affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency on February 6, 2006.

Mr. Peter MacKay ran for federal office and was elected Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Pictou-Antigonish-Guysborough in June 1997. He was reelected in November 2000. In February of 2004 he was nominated as the Conservative candidate in the riding of Central Nova and was again reelected in June 2004.

In his first five years in the House of Commons, Mr. MacKay served as House Leader for the Progressive Conservative caucus.

On May 31st, 2003 Peter became Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.  In March 2004, following the unification of the Progressive Conservative Party and the Canadian Alliance Party, Peter was named the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and was renamed Deputy Leader following the June 2004 election.

Mr. MacKay was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. After graduating with an Arts degree from Acadia University in 1987, he went on to study Law at Dalhousie University. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in June 1991.

Long sensitive to the strength and health of his community, Minister MacKay has served on volunteer boards including New Leaf and Tearmann House. As well he has been active in Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Pictou County Senior Rugby Club and the YMCA.

With strong family ties to the local area, he returned to New Glasgow to open a private law practice specializing in criminal and family law. In 1993, accepted an appointment as Crown Attorney for the Central Region of Nova Scotia. He prosecuted cases at all levels, including youth and provincial courts as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.

A sports enthusiast, Peter is active in rugby, baseball, football and hockey.

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