Former federal cabinet minister Elmer MacKay dies at 89
Former Central Nova MP Elmer MacKay at the site of a proposed natural gas plant on his land in Marshdale, Pictou County earlier this year. Photo by Aaron Bewsick /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentFormer federal minister and longtime Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MP Elmer MacKay has died. He was 89.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentPeter MacKay, his son and also a former MP, posted the news on social media Friday.Article contentArticle content“His was an extraordinary life, collecting legions of friends, leaving a legacy of hard work and public service,” Peter MacKay wrote on X.Article content“He loved the forest, poetry, sport, lawand gooddebate, the Yankees andespecially his family. Deeply missed andalive in our hearts. Sleep well Pop, you earned your rest.”Article contentArticle contentMacKay was born in Hopewell, N.S., in 1936 and was first elected to parliament for Central Nova in 1971. He worked in politics for over 20 years and was appointed as a cabinet minister under former prime minister Brian Mulroney.Article contentHis portfolios included minister of public works, minister of national revenue, minister of regional economic expansion and minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act. He won re-election in 1983 but resigned his seat so Mulroney could run in his riding. He was again elected in 1984.Article contentMacKay served as an MP until 1993, when he stepped down from his cabinet position and didn’t seek re-election.Article contentPremier Tim Houston pays tributeArticle contentTributes have poured in from across the province, including from Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, who is the PC MLA for Pictou East.Article content“Elmer represented the people of Centre Nova in the House of Commons for more than two decades, proudly bringing the voice of Nova Scotians to the national decision-making table,” said Houston on social media.Article contentArticle content“Elmer kept his name and number in the phone book so you could always get ahold of him. Over the years, our MLA offices would often hear from Elmer if he was talking to a person he thought we might be able to help. He was a great person who was always eager to help people.Article content“For those of us from Pictou County, the MacKay name has been part of the fabric of public life for as long as most of us can remember. Elmer set the standard, and he set it high.”Article contentFormer South Shore – St. Margarets MP Rick Perkins also shared his condolences on X.Article content“Elmer MacKay was first and foremost a great Nova Scotian who fought his whole life for a better future for our province,” he said.Article content“From giving up his seat in Parliament for Brian Mulroney to almost single-handedly pushing for the fixed link to P.E.I., he left our community and country a better place. Thank you, Elmer. Condolences to his wonderfully family.”Article content