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

Question 528-20(1): Northwest Territories Our Land for the Future Project Finance for Permanence
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the private equity money is a matching sum dependent solely on the commitment from the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 527-20(1): Block Land Transfers to Municipalities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, those discussions are still ongoing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 527-20(1): Block Land Transfers to Municipalities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to date, there has only been one request for a block land transfer, and that was from the city of Yellowknife. The Department of Environment and Climate Change has been in constant contact with the city and have been discussing the issue to find a path forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 521-20(1): Climate Change Action Plan
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a department, we're certainly committed to the plain language approach. I think it's critical that the members of our public in the Northwest Territories have the ability to read and interpret this information.

Right now, currently, each of the annual reports for the last five years has a preface that is a summary in a plain language format. It's a short, plain language summary. We are also -- we've already produced plain language materials that explain the priority, risk, and opportunities facing the territory when it comes to climate change risk, and we...

Question 518-20(1): Northwest Territories Our Land for the Future Project Finance for Permanence
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have -- the department and myself have been in regular conversations with Minister Guilbeault's office in regard to this. As well as I said earlier, our partners continue to work forward with the Indigenous governments, the partners at the partner table, and the staff from ECC to advance this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 518-20(1): Northwest Territories Our Land for the Future Project Finance for Permanence
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently, project finance for permanence is being worked on at the partners' level. There are a number of items that needed to be completed to meet the requirements of the treasury board. And currently the $300 million that will be provided by Canada needs to go to the House of Parliament in a supply bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister’s Statement 93-20(1): Respecting Tradition, Building a Strong Future: NWT’s Commitment to Indigenous-Led Stewardship
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to highlight one of the most significant achievements of 2024: The finalization of the Our Land for the Future Agreement, formerly called the NWT Project Finance for Permanence Agreement.

This landmark initiative is a monumental achievement for Indigenous peoples in the Northwest Territories, fostering Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and economic development. The GNWT had the honour of supporting this transformative initiative in partnership with 23 Indigenous governments, the Government of Canada, and private donors. Through the...

Question 493-20(1): Draft Climate Action Plan Public Consultation and Feedback
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is a topic that's close to my heart, ensuring that we are engaging with our youth across the NWT. I have grandchildren that are going to be coming along here into this environment soon and, you know, I'm encouraged by the participation that we had, and we had the NWT Climate Change Youth Council participate in a forum in October, Ecology North facilitated discussions, with a total of 190 students here in Yellowknife. MLA Morgan and myself are planning an engagement with high school students later in the month here in Yellowknife to discuss the issue...

Question 493-20(1): Draft Climate Action Plan Public Consultation and Feedback
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you very much to the Member for the question. As she said, there was a tremendous amount of engagement on this topic, and we extended the timeframe and continued to accept long-form submissions well into January. You know, throughout the process, we had 128 participants at a climate change advisory group gathering. We engaged with Indigenous governments, organizations, community governments, youth, researchers, land users, industries, other partners. We had 44 residents engaged through a public engagement on the website, and two Indigenous governments and six...

Question 493-20(1): Draft Climate Action Plan Public Consultation and Feedback
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the importance of plain language was the theme of the what we heard engagement throughout. And, you know, this is very important feedback for us in that we're considering the changes and improvements to the planned climate actions. We take this responsibility to communicate with the public in a clear, concise manner that everyone can understand very seriously. And to that end, already through the engagement process we have taken some opportunities to change how we were doing things. And the department worked closely with the local graphic artists to create...