Jay Macdonald

Member Thebacha

Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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 470-20(1): Targeted Amendments To The Water Regulations
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently, we're -- like I said earlier, we're in the planning stages, and we are targeting to have a more concrete plan available in the spring that we'll be able to deliver at the next meeting of the Mackenzie Valley operational dialogue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 470-20(1): Targeted Amendments To The Water Regulations
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, right now ECC is in the planning stages with the IGCS technical working group to advance the amendments to the targeted amendments to the water regulations, and it certainly is an area of high priority. We certainly, you know, want this to happen very, very quickly, and it is a process that will happen outside in the Mackenzie Valley operational dialogue, but we are definitely pushing forward to get that work done as quickly as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 470-20(1): Targeted Amendments To The Water Regulations
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 41)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the issue around water regulations has certainly been a topic of much conversation over the past number of months since the last sitting, and I'm very happy to stand here today and, you know, report to this House that right now, ECC has received approval from Cabinet and the IGCS to proceed with the appraised approach to amend the Waters Act and the water regulations with Phase 1 be the targeted approach to making amendments that were suggested by the land and water board, some of the Indigenous governments and the Chamber of Mines. We're currently in...

Tabled Document 280-20(1): Northwest Territories State of the Conservation Network 2024
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 40)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: NWT State of the Conservation Network 2024. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 443-20(1): Fast-Tracking Critical Minerals Projects
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, I've been working closely with the Minister of ITI and industry, you know, and as well as the land and water boards and the different regulatory agencies across the territory. And certainly, it's been -- you know, the potential closing of the diamond mines in the next number of years and, you know, the interest from industry to advance their projects in a timely way has certainly been top of mind. You know, those conversations happen not just with the two of us, but it's an all-of-Cabinet approach and we're all involved in those...

Question 443-20(1): Fast-Tracking Critical Minerals Projects
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is a fact that there are many projects that are advanced and ready to move on. Unfortunately, the GNWT is unable to unilaterally make the decision to advance projects in that manner. The department is committed to working with our co-management partners, and we have a very robust co-management system. And for us to streamline that process and -- you know, without proper consultation and without ensuring that we're talking with the Indigenous governments and the Indigenous organizations would really, you know, not follow the commitment of this...

Question 438-20(1): Land Transfers to Municipalities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the discussions around bulk land transfer and the transfer of land in general has been a topic that's been top of mind of my own personally for quite a while, and we've had many discussions with our partners across the territory through ICGS protocol. And as we look at those, we have to take into consideration that this process has multiple pieces of legislation that come into play here, and we have to always take into consideration the requirement for proper consultation in this process as well. So the work is ongoing, and certainly happy to have that...

Question 443-20(1): Fast-Tracking Critical Minerals Projects
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it certainly has been a regulation and land use etcetera have been a topic of -- a common topic with the Council of Leaders and at that table, and, you know, as we work forward together to try and address some of the challenges of fast tracking, if we want to call it that, but, you know, moving the regulatory process at a quicker pace, it certainly involves a lot of communication and ensuring that we have, you know -- we have the Intergovernmental Council legislative developmental process that we use to do this work, and I think it's really important...

Question 438-20(1): Land Transfers to Municipalities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd certainly be happy to engage with any of the communities that are interested in advancing this process on, you know, a bulk land transfer and certainly more than open to having the officials from the specific communities or multiple communities come and have that discussion with the department on the options that are available to us within the current guidelines and legislation that we have to follow and always, you know, interested in having the bigger conversation about what we could potentially look at doing going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker...

Question 438-20(1): Land Transfers to Municipalities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department is committed to working with all communities interested in bulk land transfers. To this regard, currently we've received one request from the city of Yellowknife regarding a bulk land transfer and currently the department is working with the city on their request. As part of our daily operations, ECC land management and administration works directly with the communities on individual transfer requests. And currently the division is working on over 152 applications that are in the system. And of those, 98 have passed through the consultation...