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
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Minister
Email

Statements in Debates

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

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

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'll pass it to deputy minister, please, thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I think that we'll certainly be able to provide that information in a high-level kind of generic to, you know, protect the privacy of the applicants. But I don't see why we couldn't provide that information for the Members. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll pass that to the director of finance.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, Madam Chair, that was in Arcan funding for our flood mapping project. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. I can certainly agree that, you know, urgency is important here, and I think we've been demonstrating that. Currently, we're prioritizing the applications toward supporting the housing needs across the NWT as one aspect of urgency. And currently our work with the city of Yellowknife is for them to identify their priority areas so that we can work with them to advance those priorities. If we want to sit back and focus solely on changing the legislation, that's a longer process and we're really focused on, but today we need, you know, to support the communities and...

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)

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

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Deputy minister Jenkins will provide some detail. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, sort of a two-part question but happy to answer both of them.

So when it comes to the specific of no longer invoicing, this is a voluntary program that we put in place to address those concerns and it does not relieve the land user of the responsibility of the payment. This is not a forgiveness policy but a temporary pause of payment. So there may be some lessees or leasers that don't want to pause the payment the way it's going currently. So that's the first part.

On the second part, Mr. Speaker, we have sent out invitations to all of the Indigenous...