Calgary & Southern Alberta

Early Radio Studio: Courtesy of the Glenbow Collection

Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, on 22 March 1914, Mackay moved to Calgary as a young child. When he was ten years old, his parents moved to Drumheller where he received his education. At the age of sixteen he appeared before the Calgary Council Chambers as Drumheller’s delegate to the Alberta Tuxis Boys’ Parliament. Early in the 1930s, Mackay worked for the Albertan and the Radio station CJCJ where he became chief announcer, sports announcer, and production manager. Active for many years in the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Mackay served as the organisation’s president at the local, provincial and national levels.

Mackay became Calgary’s mayor as the city was swept into the oil and gas boom. As Calgary expanded, it met with problems of water supply and traffic congestion. Increased crime resulted in the establishment of the city’s first family and juvenile court and its first homicide squad. Mackay also ushered in the opening of Calgary’s branch of the University of Alberta in 1951 and the airport terminal building in 1956. He popularised the white Stetson hat as the city’s symbol.