Former Canadian Cabinet Minister Elmer MacKay Dies at 89

Former Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MP and federal cabinet minister Elmer MacKay died at the age of 89. He served in the House of Commons for the Central Nova riding from 1971, resigned in 1983 to allow PC leader Brian Mulroney to win a by‑election, and was re‑elected in 1984. Under Prime Ministers Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney he held senior portfolios, including solicitor general, minister of national revenue, minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and minister of public works, before leaving cabinet in 1993.

His son, former federal minister Peter MacKay, announced the death on social media, describing his father's “extraordinary life” of public service. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston praised MacKay as one of Pictou County’s greatest representatives and noted that he “never lost sight of his Pictou County roots.”