Biography
The Honourable John McKay P.C. was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1997, serving nine consecutive terms in the House of Commons representing the constituency of Scarborough- Guildwood. He did not seek re-election as of the 2025 federal election.
A long-time human rights advocate, he has successfully sponsored major national legislation to strengthen Canada’s foreign aid regime, combat modern slavery in international supply chains, and crack down on unethical practices in Canada’s business activities abroad.
He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance by Prime Minister Paul Martin, earning him the distinction of Privy Councillor to the King, and worked with current Prime Minister Mark Carney to deliver two consecutive balanced budgets.
John also served as the Liberal Party of Canada’s Critic for National Defence, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, and Canadian Co-Chair of the Canada-U.S. Permanent Joint Board on Defence. The latter post included leading meetings at NORAD headquarters at U.S. NORTHCOM and in Washington D.C.
John is a senior consultant at David Pratt & Associates, a premier government relations and strategic consultancy firm with a focus on assisting small, medium and large companies pursuing defence and security procurement.
John is married to Carolyn Dartnell, and they are blessed with five children, five grandchildren and are active members of The Peoples Church. Prior to politics, John practiced law for 22 years.
FORMER ROLES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
Chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence
Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
Canadian Co-Chair of the Canada-United States Permanent Joint Board on Defence
Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates
Chair of the Canada-UK Joint Government Committee
Former Memberships in Parliamentary Associations and Inter-Parliamentary Groups
Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (Co-Chair)
Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (Chair and Vice-Chair)
Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (Vice-Chair)
Co-chair Party parliamentary group to end modern slavery
Canada-Ireland Inter-Parliamentary Group (Member of the Executive)
Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Canadian Section of ParlAmericas
Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
Private Members Bills Over Parliamentary Career
Successfully co-sponsored Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff and received Royal Assent on May 11, 2023
Successfully sponsored Bill C-293, An Act Respecting the Provision of Development Assistance Abroad and received Royal Assent on May 29, 2008.
Successfully sponsored Bill C-260, Amendment to Hazardous Products Act (fire-safe cigarettes) and received Royal Assent on March 31, 2004.
Sponsor of Bill C-300, A Bill Respecting Corporate Accountability for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies in Developing Nations – 2009-2010. (Ultimately led to creation of the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise)
Sponsor of Bill C-474, Transparency of Payments Made by Mining, Oil and Gas Corporations to Foreign Governments Act – 2013-2014.
Sponsor of Bill C-423, An Act Respecting the Fight Against Certain Forms of Modern Slavery. Through the Imposition of Certain Measures and Amending the Customs Tariff – 2018-2019 (Predecessor to Bill S-211)
Former Memberships in Parliamentary Friendship Groups
All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Canada-Nordic-Baltic Parliamentary Friendship Group
Canada-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group
Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group
Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group–
