On July 5, 2006, Hickey was appointed to the Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador as Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister of Labrador Affairs.[2] Following the 2007 election, Hickey remained in cabinet as Minister of Labrador Affairs, but lost the transportation portfolio.[3][4]
Prior to entering provincial politics, Hickey was a municipal councillor in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for 15 years, and served as mayor in 2003.[7]
In 2013, Hickey ran for mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, but was defeated.[7] He ran again in the 2017 municipal election,[7] and was elected mayor by more than 800 votes.[8]
On December 9, 2017, Hickey was seriously injured when he accidentally shot himself in the face in a hunting accident.[9] He died on December 14, aged 62.[10][11]