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:

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's Office
Email
Email

Statements in Debates

Question 995-20(1): Municipal Land Transfer Policies
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently, the department signed a memorandum of collaboration to work with the City of Yellowknife, and we have been working together on many files to transfer land within the city. Currently, there are eight files in process, two of -- six of which are currently in consultation and two of which have moved to the next level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 995-20(1): Municipal Land Transfer Policies
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no, there is not.

Question 995-20(1): Municipal Land Transfer Policies
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the process through which a land application goes, once it becomes into the system, it has multiple steps. Not all of the steps are within the control of the department. So there's consultation that's involved. There's documentation, the moving into the legal realm. There's reviews by counsel on both sides, either for the department or for the purchaser of the land. So many of these components do not have specific timelines associated with them however we do make every effort to move the land applications through as quickly as possible. Thank you, Mr...

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I will speak briefly, and then I will pass it to the deputy minister. But Our Land for the Future funding will provide an opportunity to hire more community-based monitoring. That's part of the overall work plan. So that's, I think, a positive going forward. But I will pass to the deputy minister.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, so the program is designed to support people that have some level of income from that activity. So whether it's from -- you know, trapping I will use as an example. A certain percentage of their income would need to come from that to be eligible for the program. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will pass to the deputy minister.

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I think, you know, as the demand for processing the land transfers increases, we're certainly recognizing that and adding the additional resources. The one part of setting a specific timeline in this regard is that we don't control the whole process. There are a number of steps along the way that are controlled by others, so we can emphasize the areas that we have control on but it may not necessarily allow us to meet a specific timeline that could be set in the future because there are pieces in between that we don't have control of. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 981-20(1): Land Tenure and Land Transfers
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are a number of files and different parcels of lands, whether it be in the city of Yellowknife or other communities within the Northwest Territories, that are currently at various stages within the process. Part of this process is ensuring that we are working closely with those municipalities as we have recently last year signed a new memorandum of understanding with the City of Yellowknife, and we are also working very closely with all of the parties involved to ensure that the process and we do proper consultation and move these forward in a timely...

Committee Motion 138-20(1): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 454-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 3, 2025-2026, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 77)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Wek'eezhii Renewable Resources Board approved an extension of current management actions of the Bathurst until July of 2027. And based on that request came from ECC and the Tlicho government, the extension allows for community engagement prior to the development of the new joint management proposal. Thank you, Mr. Chair.