Background
He was born in Strathalbyn, Prince Edward Island, the son of John McInnis, and was educated at Prince of Wales College and the Central Academy in Charlottetown.
He was born in Strathalbyn, Prince Edward Island, the son of John McInnis, and was educated at Prince of Wales College and the Central Academy in Charlottetown.
He was mayor of Regina in 1899. He served as principal at schools in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Moosomin and Wolseley. In 1891, he came to Regina and became editor of the Regina Journal, later renamed the Regina Standard.
McInnis served on Regina city council from 1896 to 1898 and from 1915 to 1917 and from 1919 to 1922.
He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the House of Commons in 1896 and in 1908. In 1913, he retired from journalism to pursue farming, real estate and a printing and publishing business.
He also served on the board of governors for the Regina General Hospital.