She was prothonotary and registrar of province’s Court of Appeal, Supreme Court
The Prince Edward Island government has announced the appointment of Krista J. MacKay to a five-year term, effective immediately, as the new chief judge of the Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island.
“Judge MacKay has been an integral part of our judicial system since her appointment to the bench in 2020,” said Bloyce Thompson – the province’s deputy premier, justice and public safety minister, and attorney general – in a news release.
“Her commitment to the western part of our province, and the PEI legal community as a whole has resulted in meaningful change, and I know that her voice of reason, fairness, and dedication to community will be reflected in her new position,” added Thompson, who confirmed MacKay’s judicial appointment.
MacKay has replaced Jeffrey E. Lantz, who became chief provincial judge in 2020 and has since finished his five-year appointment. On the province’s behalf, Thompson expressed gratitude to Lantz for his service in the role.
“We have made great strides in modernizing our systems and increasing access to justice across the province, which were all made possible under the leadership of Judge Lantz,” Thompson said. “I know he will continue to serve our province with dignity, respect, and fairness.”
More on MacKay
Before becoming a Provincial Court judge in 2020, MacKay served as prothonotary and registrar of the Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, according to the PEI government’s backgrounder on MacKay.
In March 2015, she started working at PEI Legal Aid, where she practised family law and criminal law.
Before joining the public sector, MacKay was a private practitioner. At Cox & Palmer, she served as an associate from 2001–08 and as a partner from 2008–15. There, she focused on civil and criminal litigation.
At Taylor McLellan in Summerside, she worked as an articled clerk and as an associate from 1995–99.
MacKay joined the bar in 1996. She obtained her LLB at the University of New Brunswick in 1995.
The backgrounder in the province’s news release described her as an active member of her community. Specifically, she chaired Discipline Committee A at the Law Society of PEI and the Mental Health Review Board.
MacKay served as president of the Canadian Bar Association’s PEI branch and of the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce. She also sat on the board of Community Connections Inc.
Born and raised in Summerside, she continues to live in the city with her family.
