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

Committee Motion 83-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 385-20(1): 2026-2027 Capital Estimates – Department of Infrastructure – Deferral of Estimates, carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Question 838-20(1): RCMP Staffing in Small Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this question is a little bit more involved and detailed and will require some additional work. So what I am prepared to do today is commit to the Member that I will reach out to the other departments, EIA and other departments, etcetera, have my department do that, and provide a response back to the Member on this question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Question 838-20(1): RCMP Staffing in Small Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member stated, you know, vacancy rate in the Northwest Territories in the RCMP, we are unfortunately number one in the country with the 22.9 percent unfilled position rate currently. And, you know, this has certainly posed a huge challenge for many of our detachments across the NWT. Fortunately, we have been able to address this challenge through the -- we've managed to get 18 relief members from across Canada have been brought in to provide temporary support to our communities, which has been very much appreciated, and we are working on the...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am here today to present Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Family Law Act, for consideration by Committee of the Whole.

Family law in Canada is an area of shared responsibility between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Bill 24 proposes amendments to the Northwest Territories Family Law Act that will bring it in line with changes to the federal Divorce Act that came into force in 2021.

Bill 24 is complementary to Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act, and therefore mirrors the amendments put forward in Bill 23 such as ensuring that the legislative...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 83-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 385-20(1): 2026-2027 Capital Estimates – Department of Infrastructure – Deferral of Estimates, carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, our attack aircraft, in other words, our water bombing or retardant bombing aircraft would not be able to land at the Deline facility. The runway doesn't have sufficient capacity to support those aircraft. So primarily they're landing at the bigger centres: Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Yellowknife, and Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Tabled Document 410-20(1): Administration of the Northwest Territories Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act Annual Report 2024-2025
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: 36th Annual Victim Assistance Fund Report 2024-2025; and, the Administration of the Northwest Territories Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act Annual Report 2024-2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 83-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 385-20(1): 2026-2027 Capital Estimates – Department of Infrastructure – Deferral of Estimates, carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, ECC has been operating the Gordon Lake facility for over a decade, and this location is ideal as it is in the lower end of the caribou mobile zone and south of most of the wildlife harvesting activity and is a pinch point for the traffic moving through south and north. So it's strategically located. We have other locations along the winter road where our officers camp and work from, but that's our primary location that everyone has to pass through in order to get up to the winter road and to return. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 851-20(1): Transfer of Commissioner’s Lands within Municipal Boundaries
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 68)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, although the Member makes it sound very simple and straightforward, it's not as simple and straightforward as it sounds. There's consultation involved. There are a number of moving parts. I am certainly am committed to the conversation with the mayor on October 30th and very hopeful that we can find a path forward that will resolve this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.