Dr. MacKay is a nationally recognized teacher and scholar, and accomplished author in the areas of Constitutional Law, the Charter of Rights, Human Rights, Privacy Law and Education Law. In addition to teaching courses in the previous areas, he has also taught Administrative Law, Criminology and Aboriginal Rights.

Dr. MacKay's primary areas of research include Constitutional Law, Public Law, the Charter of Rights, Education Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights and Privacy Law. He has conducted major government studies on inclusive education, cyberbullying, and social and economic rights, and he has written extensively in these areas. He currently does extensive media consultations both individual and on behalf of the Schulich School of Law. He often appears on CBC Information Morning, Nova Scotia, as a legal columnist.

In 2006, Dr. MacKay was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada by Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, in recognition of his commitment and passion to human rights, equality and diversity in Canadian society.

While a student at the law school, Professor MacKay ('78) was a Gold Medalist and Smith Shield mooter. Before his articles, he clerked for the late Rt Hon Bora Laskin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.