Upon receiving my B. Comm Degree in 1972, Elvira and I worked with CUSO (Canadian University Services Overseas) where I ended up getting a job as a rural development planner in Botswana, Africa. We signed up for two years, but stayed for three. Our son Shaun was born there. The whole experience was truly life changing.
On our return to Canada, I enrolled in the Master of City Planning program at the University of Manitoba. My first job after graduating was Manager of the City of Winnipeg’s Brooklands Neighbourhood Improvement Program; the part of Winnipeg’s inner city where I spent my formative years. At a very young age then I had the broad range of experience as a planner from being in a position in a foreign country where I couldn’t speak the language and was a visible minority to being a leader in the neighbourhood where I grew up.
While working in Brooklands, I discovered that the reason that my third name was McKay was because my biological father was a McKay from Misipawistik First Nation (Grand Rapids, Manitoba). While I never did meet my father, I’ve met and have become friends with numerous McKay relatives and without exception it’s been a positive experience.
Over the years I have been fortunate in being able to serve in a number of community leadership positions, both in my hometown, Winnipeg as well as in Pittsburgh, PA. Looking back on my career, about 30% of my working life was working for governments, 30% for non-profit organizations, and 40% the private sector. The latter involved my own private management and community planning consulting practice, which at times had both of our children (Shaun, a landscape architect/designer and Elise, a city planner) working with me.
Working on my own as a consultant is what I have most enjoyed. Much of my work has been devoted to community planning, working with First Nations communities and urban Indigenous people, addressing issues around poverty, and downtown revitalization initiatives. Now quasi-retired, I am currently helping my sister-in-law, Wanda Koop, an internationally recognized artist, with her legacy project – i.e. establishing a museum and community development centre in downtown Winnipeg.
Elvira and I enjoy living in Winnipeg. However, we do count our lucky stars as, with no major health issues, we are fortunate to be able to spend two months during the winter in Mexico (where San Miguel de Allende has become our “home away from home”).
These days I’ve been keeping myself busy being a grandfather to four (all in the ‘Peg), volunteering on various non-profit boards, and writing a memoir. Some would say I’ve set the bar low, as if 50% of my grandchildren bother to read my memoir, I’ll consider it a success!
Looking forward to reconnecting with everyone in September.
For Harry’s full memoir of his Commerce days and after, download the pdf file below.