In 1943, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 17 and served until the end of World War II in 1945.
As an MP, McGee was a strong opponent of capital punishment, and in 1960 he introduced a private members bill to abolish the practice.
Though his bill did not pass his initiative led to amendments to the Criminal Code abolishing capital punishment for several crimes.
He also advocated liberalization of Canada's divorce laws and legal reforms to improve the status of women.
Following his departure from parliament, McGee worked as a political reporter for the Toronto Star and was also host of the CBC television program The Sixties.