As of July 2019, the Canfor sawmill ceased production indefinitely as part of a province-wide curtailment of operations and in 2020 the pulp mill was also permanently shut down.

The nearby Centerra Gold Mount Milligan copper-gold operation[4] provides secondary economic activity for the town.

Mackenzie has a subarctic climate that has influences from the Pacific Ocean resulting in less cold winters than expected for its northerly latitude compared to other Canadian locations.

Winters are very cold on occasion, although relatively short for a subarctic climate with a January mean of −9.2 °C (15.4 °F) as the coldest month.

Morfee Mountain overlooks Mackenzie and is suitable for hiking and off-road vehicle usage.

Mackenzie has its own Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment, a provincial courtroom, a volunteer fire department, and a municipal hospital.