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

Member Jay MacDonald, Minister 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 216-20(1): gUARDIANS OF THE lAND pROGRAM
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 18)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the questions. The Guardian program is a collaborative program that is I can't speak specifically to the locations at this time, but I would certainly be happy to provide that information to the Member. The Guardian program supports collaborative efforts between the Department of ECC and local Indigenous organizations and governments to work together in the monitoring of activities and wildlife on the landscape. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 205-20(1): Climate Change
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 18)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. I think ECC certainly has taken the approach that incorporating traditional knowledge is a really important area of how we do our daytoday work in all areas throughout the department and certainly is a big component in how we approach climate change, ensuring that we are hearing all of the voices from all of the communities and affected people across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister’s Statement 34-20(1): Indigenous Government Partnerships and Capacity Building
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 17)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a significant issue affecting the Northwest Territories: The historic low water levels that have been observed over the entire Mackenzie River Basin. Over the last four years, we have seen extremely variable water levels, likely related to climate change, from historic highs in 2020 and 2021 to record lows in 2023 and 2024. In this time of unprecedented variability, we are committed to giving residents, communities, and stakeholders the best information and tools we can to inform planning and decisionmaking.

As the ultimate downstream...

Tabled Document 97-20(1): Environmental Rights Act Annual Report 2023-2024
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 6319(2) Report on Bill 78: Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Act; and Environmental Rights Act Annual Report 20232024. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Austin Blanchard and Kelly Modeste, correction officers that were here for the budget speech from Fort Smith. Thank you.

Tabled Document 64-20(1): Waste Reduction and Recovery Program 2022-2023 Annual Report
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Waste Reduction and Recovery Program 20222023 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 149-20(1): Recreational Land Leases
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I will commit that we will ensure that we improve our communications with the applicants and provide a level of response within 90 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 149-20(1): Recreational Land Leases
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Mr. Speaker, the existing land lease processes are consistent and transparent. The department has and continues to work on improving the service and the processes that it uses to deliver these programs to the public. For any application, the department works with the applicant to outline the steps and processes that are required for tenure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 145-20(1): Regional Study of Slave Geological Project
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ensuring that we are sharing the information that comes out of these studies as we move forward collectively, gathering information is certainly important. I think it's a big part of ensuring that the projects are moving together collaboratively. And in the early stages of developing the terms of reference, we want to ensure that the timelines for the study are accurate. And to specifically questions related to the criteria and the timeline for the regional study, we oh, sorry, the GNWT is not my apologies, Mr. Speaker, could I ask the Member to repeat...

Question 145-20(1): Regional Study of Slave Geological Project
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the study and the whole process is led by the federal government so that's not a question I can answer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.