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

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 specific money that's allocated to the environmental audit recommendations is -- some of it is contained in the *SIMF funding, and other amounts are spread across the different areas within the department. 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. Mr. Chair, these are a result of the increased amount of federal funding that's been available to Indigenous governments as well as the territorial government, which is increasing the demand for land on a pretty consistent basis. 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 director.

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, there are many educational opportunities within the department and a lot of that work is done regionally. And I think as a department we could probably do a better job of gathering that information and being able to share that data going forward into the future. 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)

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, there were some reductions in positions. I will pass to the deputy minister for some detail. 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. Mr. Chair, those are two positions that were created. They'll be based in Fort Smith, and their role is to primarily support the housing initiative so that we have more resources to advance the land acquisitions to support housing across the NWT. 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. Mr. Chair, those positions were vacant for over three years, and we are using the funding to allow Indigenous governments to do the work that would have been accomplished through those two positions. 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. So there's three things at play here. There's the interim measures agreement. There could be potentially withdrawn lands in the area. And then any application would need to go through the consultation process with the affected Indigenous governments. 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. Mr. Chair, there is a spot in the business plan that does speak to some of the legislative initiatives, but one of the challenging things here is there are many, if you say, moving parts, I guess if you will, Mr. Chair, and a lot of partners involved in this work. And, certainly from the perspective of the department, we're trying to engage with those partners on the land and water boards, our Indigenous governments and organizations, to really try and focus. So perhaps if the Member had a specific example, we might be able to give a little bit more precise response...

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. The positions were vacant. Thank you, Mr. Chair.