Jay Macdonald

Member Thebacha

Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Minister of Justice
Government House Leader

Jay Macdonald was elected to the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Thebacha. Mr. Macdonald was elected to the Executive Council of the 20th Assembly.

Mr. Macdonald was born on June 26, 1964, in the town of Hay River, Northwest Territories. As an Indigenous Métis, Jay's roots run deep in the Northern Canadian landscape, and his journey has been marked by diverse experiences that have enriched both his personal and professional life.

Mr. Macdonald’s family relocated to Fort Smith in 1970. Mr. Macdonald successfully managed his small engine repair shop, providing essential services to the community and establishing himself as a reliable entrepreneur. Simultaneously, he delved into the intricacies of recreation facility management, overseeing operations at the local arena and golf course.

In his 13-year tenure as the Manager of Forest Management Services with the Environment and Conservation Division of the Government of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Macdonald demonstrated an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

Mr. Macdonald’s dedication to youth development is evident in his 12-year role as the House Parent Program Coordinator for the Western Arctic Leadership Program. For five years, he served as a house parent, providing a nurturing environment for students from Lutsel Ke attending PWK High School. This experience not only showcased his compassion but also contributed significantly to the academic and personal growth of the students under his care.

Drawing on his expertise as a Journey Person Small Equipment Technician, Mr. Macdonald spent 13 years managing a Polaris dealership and served as an Instructor for Small Equipment Maintenance, Aviation Fuel Management, and Logistics disciplines under the Incident Command System.

Mr. Macdonald’s commitment to community extends beyond his professional roles. As a dedicated volunteer, he served as President and Coach of Fort Smith Minor Hockey, nurturing young talent and instilling the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. His coaching prowess extended to the national stage as he led Team NWT at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

In his role as a representative of the Fort Smith Métis Nation on the local District Education Association Board, Mr. Macdonald contributed to shaping educational policies that reflect the unique needs of the community. Additionally, he served as a Board Member and Chair of the Northwest Territories Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Board, advocating for the recognition and advancement of skilled trades.

Mr. Macdonald’s commitment to community welfare is further evidenced by his involvement in various local activities and events. Whether coaching minor sports or contributing to volunteer initiatives, he has consistently worked towards creating a vibrant and cohesive community fabric.

Outside of his professional and community engagements, Mr. Macdonald has a full family life. He is married to Karen, is a proud father to three children, and a doting grandfather to three grandchildren.

In his leisure time, Jay indulges in hobbies that reflect his love for the outdoors. Golfing, fishing, gardening, and enjoying the vast Northern landscapes are among his favorite pastimes.

Thebacha Electoral District:

Committees

Jay Macdonald
Thebacha
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Minister
Email
Email

Statements in Debates

Question 917-20(1): Rayrock Minesite Remediation
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 72)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Rayrock site was -- there's a site there that's a 12-square-kilometer area around the former mine site. This site was excluded from the devolution agreements under Part B of section 7 and remains under the control of the Government of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 35: Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 206
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 71)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 35, Miscellaneous Statutes Law Amendment Act, 2026, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tabled Document 430-20(1): Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2024 Annual Report
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 71)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2024 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 34: Trespass to Property Act
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 71)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 34, Trespass to Property Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 870-20(1): Surety Bonds for Environmental Remediation and Reclamation
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 70)

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, within the division of lands, we have a team of -- I have to pull up the title here; give me one second.

Certainly, you know, the team that we have in place within lands is the land administration team which would be responsible for overseeing that process as the potential reclamation moves forward and would go back and look at how that process was entered into after a potential situation where a bankruptcy was declared. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 870-20(1): Surety Bonds for Environmental Remediation and Reclamation
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 70)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the surety bonds are still considered a very valuable type of security for this type of reclamation guarantee, and they are an asset that is fully able to be called upon on demand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 878-20(1): Assessment of Fiscal Capacity of Mine Operators
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 70)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, assessing the fiscal capacity of a company is certainly part of the process when a company comes into the field of mining; however, it is not a responsibility that falls directly to the GNWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 876-20(1): Transfer of Commissioner’s Lands to Municipalities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 70)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, devolution was a delegation of administration and control of Crown land from the federal government to the GNWT. Land administered by the GNWT is not titled to the GNWT but titled to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, and that is federally appointed. Also, the GNWT is an arm of the Crown. A municipal government is not. And the devolution of administration and control authorities is not something the GNWT can further devolve. And I just wanted to point out as well that plans of survey are a functional requirement of the land title system, and...

Question 874-20(1): Traditional Use Cabins
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 70)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, I think I've said this many times. My goal here is to have the Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations come forward with paths forward that work for everyone. And my goal at the end of the day is to have a zero-dollar fee attached to this. I think, you know, in the interim, we have the ability to move down to a nominal fee, which is as low as we can go, down to a dollar within the legislation. And I think that's our interim target as we work together collaboratively to find a solution to this once and for all and get that fee down to zero...

Question 874-20(1): Traditional Use Cabins
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 70)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. I know this has come up a number of times on the floor of this House, and I'm very happy to speak to it. It's certainly one of my more passionate areas that I'm trying to advance.

So to date, we have -- you know, we've proposed an amendment to the NWT land regulations to reduce the rent rate down to a dollar. We're currently working with the Intergovernmental Council Secretariat and Indigenous governments on this process. As recently as a week or two ago, there was a meeting of the technical working group where GCC took part...