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
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Minister

Statements in Debates

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

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

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, we just recently signed a new bilateral nature agreement for $7 million with the federal government a week and a bit ago, and we also have been given approval to carry over the unspent balance from this fiscal year. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you for the question. So this work is in its very early stages. After the recommendations were received, the department did go back and look at this area and as a result of those internal conversations, we've engaged MNP as a contractor to go away, take -- and provide us with some options on how to best move forward in this direction as it was recommended in the afteraction review. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question.

Mr. Speaker, this has been an area that has been top of mind for me. It was one of my priorities, my personal priorities when I came into the Assembly and became Minister, and there's been a lot of work done within the department. I certainly, much like the Member, would like to see the pace moving a little quicker than it is but, you know, very aware of the capacity of not only the department but the Indigenous governments to move this forward. We have a number of initiatives going. We've addressed a way to engage so that we...

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, that's included in risk and opportunities assessment. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, yes, we do -- staff does participate in that process, and they provide advice. And I'll pass to deputy minister Jenkins; perhaps he can provide a little more detail beyond advice. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the increase of 485K between the 2024-2025 revised main estimates and the 2025-2026 Main Estimates is due to an increase in the expanded waste sites federal agreement, a reduction to travel, and controllable assets, collective bargaining increases, and amortization adjustment, and the decrease to the one-time supplementary appropriation. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

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

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you for the -- raising this one as well. I think this -- FireSmarting has been a very successful program, and it's delivered all across the NWT in all communities, all forested communities. Some of the key programs that it is running are resilient communities through FireSmart program which received $7.7 million of multi-year funding through 2027. There's also a prevention and mitigation section that we're working with the department on. There's FireSmart communities. There's fuel mitigation projects. And a lot of this work is coordinated through communities...

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

No comment at this time. Thank you, Madam Chair.