Peter MacKay

Peter Gordon MacKay MP, LL.B., BA, (born September 27, 1965) is the current deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. He was the final leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (PC Party). In December 2003, he agreed to merge the party with the Canadian Alliance, forming the Conservative Party of Canada.

Personal life

MacKay's longtime fiancée was Lisa Michelle Merrithew, daughter of former Mulroney cabinet minister Gerald Stairs Merrithew. They reportedly ended their engagement in 2004. MacKay has since been romantically linked to fellow MP Belinda Stronach in published reports. In an interview in the Toronto Star on January 8, 2005, Stronach confirmed that she and MacKay were dating. Stronach, elected as a Conservative in the 2004 election, crossed the floor to the Liberal Party on May 17, 2005. She declined to comment on what impact this would have on their relationship.

Related Topics:
Lisa Michelle Merrithew - Mulroney - Gerald Stairs Merrithew - Belinda Stronach - Toronto Star - January 8 - 2005 - Crossed the floor - Liberal Party

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On May 18, 2005, MacKay told the CBC that his relationship with Stronach was indeed over, and that it had come as a surprise to him that she had crossed the floor.

Related Topics:
May 18 - 2005 - CBC

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MacKay had his driver's licence suspended for two weeks starting May 21, 2005 after being caught speeding twice last November 11 and December 23.

Related Topics:
Driver's licence - Suspended - May 21 - Speeding - November 11 - December 23

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In his spare time, MacKay has served on volunteer boards including New Leaf and Tearmann House. He has also been active in Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Pictou County Senior Rugby Club and the YMCA.

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A sports enthusiast, MacKay is active in local adult rugby, baseball, football and hockey teams in Pictou, Nova Scotia.

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In early October 2005, the premier of MacKay's province of Nova Scotia, John Hamm, expressed his desire to resign. There was speculation that MacKay would return to provincial politics to enter the PC party's leadership race for premier. However, after carefully considering whether or not he should remain in Ottawa and assist the Conservatives in federal politics or return to provincial politics, MacKay desided to do the former and remain deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Related Topics:
Nova Scotia - John Hamm - Conservative Party of Canada

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