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

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I think that one of the issues that we have certainly been attempting to look into greatly is that there's a requirement for consultation with the Indigenous governments on land transfer within the municipality, and to approach a bulk land transfer from the perspective of there's not a clear definition of what the intent is for all of the parcels that may be part of that proposed land transfer is one of the certainly challenging aspects of that approach. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll pass that to director St. Arnaud. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, we won't have that figure until the fiscal year end. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, yes, we have -- there has been some -- part of our normal annual operations certainly is training with our staff, and that's always an ongoing evolving exercise. So when it comes to the expertise of the wildfire -- oh, I lost the word now -- behaviour modeling folks, there's always that ongoing training, ongoing training. Unfortunately, right know, we don't have the additional funding required within this budget to advance other components of the recommendations, so we will be coming back with a supplemental appropriation request in the future to address...

Question 585-20(1): Land Leases in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we are currently working through the process, we are working with -- through the Intergovernmental Council on land tenure on -- oh sorry, the Intergovernmental Council on land and resource management through the legislative development protocol. And as we're doing this, we're working on the establishment of finalizing the regulations toward the land tenure issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the entire $2.6 million is GNWT funded. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll pass to deputy minister Jenkins. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Yes, Madam Chair, that is a good explanation, and there's a one-off due to the collective bargaining in 2024-2025. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, Madam Chair, I think we take a very collaborative approach on all of the work that we do. And I take the Member's point on the small reduction. It was part of the overall attempt to make a department-wide approach at some of the fiscal sustainability measures that we were looking at. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 50)

Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you very much for the question. So there's a number of areas of work that is being done in this regard where currently there's been a lot of hazard mapping work that has identified potential risk to communities. The deputy minister met with the NWTAC this morning and had a conversation around the FireSmarting and the community benefitting from these programs. There's $20 million that was acquired from the federal government in 2022 to support communities, firebreaks, and working in that area. The department goes in annually in the wintertime and meets with the...