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 1035-20(1): Capacity of North Slave Correctional Facility
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 80)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are currently -- as of yesterday, we're at 88 percent, and I am happy to provide a -– or at 80 percent capacity. I am happy to provide an update today. So we've had -- yeah, at this time we feel we have capacity. There are a couple of things that are going on. There is some security changes that are being made to the facility in Hay River which will allow them to take a little bit higher-rated offender which will expand a little bit on the capacity. And as we move forward, currently the capacity load within the North Slave Correctional Centre is still at...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 80)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will just maybe rephrase my previous answer. There was engagement with targeted stakeholders and there was a review of the reports of the rental officer, and there will be an opportunity as the amendments to the Act are brought forward for more engagement. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 1034-20(1): Transboundary Water Agreements
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 80)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at a staff level we are engaged with the Province of Saskatchewan through our bilateral agreements. We currently don't have a transboundary water agreement with Saskatchewan. We are in the process of having conversations. As these issues are raised, certainly something I will take back to the staff and get a further update. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 80)

Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we are currently working on a report that will outline the results of the review, and we hope to have that by the end of the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 1032-20(1): Transboundary Water Agreements
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 80)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the transboundary water agreement is the key tool that we use to ensure that we're able to monitor, gather information, whether that's through our conversations within the agreement with Alberta. We use that information to inform the Indigenous governments across the Northwest Territories. Many of them are involved in our monitoring programs on the north side of the border. And we continue to use that information to ensure that our pre-determined thresholds are not exceeded. And so we have -- part of our agreement, it speaks to the aquatic ecosystem health...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 80)

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

Question 1032-20(1): Transboundary Water Agreements
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 80)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as is required under our transboundary water agreement, the GNWT and Alberta will continue to monitor and assess water quantity and quality against our interim triggers that we have within our agreement, and we'll relay that information to the public via the annual report as we've done over the last number of years and through our bilateral management committee. And I am very happy to say that the bilateral management committee has representations from two Indigenous governments that sit directly on the NWT Water Strategy Indigenous Steering Committee. So...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 79)

Sorry, Mr. Chair. I didn't hear the question.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 79)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, as of today, there are 141 inmates in the North Slave Correctional Centre. And in the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre, there are 14. And in the Fort Smith Correctional Centre, there are 13. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 79)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will just respond to the 141 inmate comment. There are 18 sentenced inmates out of that 141, and there are 116 that are there on remand. Thank you, Mr. Chair.