Norm Macdonald (politician)

Like his father, Macdonald worked as a teacher for most of his life.{{cite news |title= Macdonald named Education Critic by NDP Leader |newspaper=The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=August 12, 2008 |page=4}} He taught at a First Nation school in Manitoba for a short time before moving to the Columbia Valley where he taught at a secondary school. Living in the small town of Golden, British Columbia, he served one term, between 1993 and 1996, as a municipal councillor and one term, between 1996 and 1999, as its mayor.{{cite news |title= Former Golden mayor seeks NDP nomination |last=Rooney |first= David |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=September 8, 2004 |page=1}} He has also taught for a total of six years in Tanzania and Lesotho, Africa. Once back in British Columbia, he became the principal (as well as a teacher) at Nicholson Elementary School, a rural school south of Golden.

As the BC New Democratic Party were preparing for the up-coming 2005 provincial election, Macdonald put his name forward as a potential candidate for the Columbia River-Revelstoke electoral district. At the November 2004 nomination meeting, attended by party leader Carole James, in Windermere, Macdonald was selected, with a 75% vote, over Kimberley-resident Brent Bush{{cite news |title= Brent Bush seeks NDP nomination |last=Rooney |first= David |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=September 15, 2004 |page=3}} to be the BC NDP candidate.{{cite news |title= Macdonald earns NDP candidacy |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=November 10, 2004 |page=3}}

With the election set for May 2005, Macdonald continued working at his teaching job while travelling on weekends to build his support network.{{cite news |title= On the campaign trail in Kimberley |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=January 11, 2005 |page=1}} The incumbent MLA, Wendy McMahon of the governing BC Liberals, was promoted to a ministerial position (Minister of Women's' and Seniors' Services) in December 2004{{cite news |title= MLA achieves a valley rarity |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=December 22, 2004 |page=10}} and major improvements to Kicking Horse Canyon Highway and rural roads were announced.{{cite news |title= Columbia River – Revelstoke |last=Birnie |first=Peter |newspaper=The Vancouver Sun |date= May 14, 2005 |page=K9}} However, Macdonald's campaign highlighted provincial services that had suffered since the 2001 election, such as the closure of several schools,{{cite news |title= Golden feels 'forgotten' |last=Zacharias |first=Yvonne |newspaper=The Vancouver Sun |date= April 30, 2005 |page=A5}} the closure of the Kimberley hospital, reduced capacity at extended care facilities in Golden and Revelstoke,{{cite news |title= McMahon, Macdonald debate seniors' issues |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=February 7, 2005 |page=1}} and the elimination of conservation officers.{{cite news |title= Government's broken CO promise is wrong, says MLA Macdonald |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=August 24, 2005 |page=19}} He also campaigned on his ability to provide better representation of local issues{{cite news |title= Golden MLA is not representing constituents |first=Norm |last=Macdonald |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=September 29, 2004 |page=10}} and was supported with campaign stops in the area, in late April, from party leader Carole James. Despite the late entrance by a Green Party candidate, who did not campaign in the riding,{{cite news |title= Columbia River Revelstoke candidates enter the stretch run |first=Carolyn |last=Grant |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=May 10, 2005 |page=1}} Macdonald won the election with over 50% of the vote, though his party lost the provincial election to the BC Liberals who formed their second majority government. Macdonald spent $38,430 on his campaign, the lowest amount of all the winning candidates.{{cite news |title= Norm Macdonald gears up for another term |first=Gail |last=Burley |newspaper=The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=March 22, 2009 |page=3}}

As the 38th Parliament began, Macdonald was assigned to be his party's critic for Municipal Affairs.{{cite news |title= MacDonald gets Municipal Affairs in shadow cabinet |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=June 24, 2005 |page=1}} In a June 2006 critic shuffle, Macdonald was reassigned to Tourism, Sport and Arts{{cite news |title= James shuffles critics; Dix to health |last=Willcocks |first= Paul |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=June 30, 2006 |page=11}} and then to Education critic in their August 2008 shuffle.{{cite news |title= Macdonald named education critic |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=August 11, 2008 |page=5}} On provincial issues he spoke out against the 2005 back-to-work legislation for teachers and Bill 30 which exempted independent power producers from local government review,{{cite news |title= City, MLA oppose Bill 30 |last=Rooney |first=David |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=May 17, 2006 |page=3}} a bill that allowed hotels in provincial parks,{{cite news |title=Macdonald opposed to hotels in parks: Penner's explanation that overnight facilities will help aging population is "disingenuous:" MLA |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=August 3, 2006 |page=1}} a reorganization of Office of the Fire Commissioner which resulted in fewer rural fire officials.{{cite news |title=MLA says reorganization a mistake |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=February 22, 2006 |page=6}} He worked with fellow NDP MLAs Scott Fraser and Maurine Karagianis on a bill called First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act{{cite news |title=Archeological heritage must be protected, MLA says |last=Warner |first=Gerry |newspaper= Daily Townsman |location=Cranbrook, British Columbia |date=July 17, 2007 |page=5}} which was introduced into the Legislative Assembly by Karagianis in May 2008, though it did not move past first reading. He called for a "seniors representative",{{cite news |title=MLA calls for installment of independent seniors representative |newspaper= The Kootenay Advertiser |location=Cranbrook, British Columbia |date=February 27, 2008 |page=18}} similar to the province's Children's Representative{{cite news |title=NDP propose seniors representative |last=Warner |first=Gerry |newspaper= Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=December 20, 2007 |page=5}} and he hosted a forum in his riding to discuss seniors-specific issues.{{cite news |title=Macdonald hosts seniors' forum in Kimberley |last=Warner |first=Gerry |newspaper= Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=February 4, 2008 |page=4}} He joined a NDP delegation who traveled to Taiwan to promote tourism and economic issues.{{cite news |title= MLA wooing Taiwanese tourism, film officials |last=Rooney |first=David |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=November 22, 2006 |page=24}} Macdonald and neighbouring MLA Bill Bennett of the BC Liberals had an ongoing feud.{{cite news |title= Bennett accuses Macdonald of subverting process |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=September 20, 2006 |page=6}}{{cite news |title= Conversation on Health gets argumentative: MLA Bennett angrily denounces criticism from MLA Macdonald |last=Warner |first=Gerry |newspaper= Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=October 16, 2006 |page=1}}{{cite news |title= Bennett says he won't apologize; "Its time to move on." Macdonald, Dix say |last=Warner |first=Gerry |newspaper= Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=October 20, 2006 |page=1}}{{cite news |title= MLAs trade blows on government's climate change plan |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Townsman |location=Cranbrook, British Columbia |date=March 9, 2007 |page=5}}{{cite news |title= Bennett blasts Macdonald's comments; East Kootenay MLA takes exception to comments about government interference in land use decisions |last=Warner |first= Gerry |newspaper=Daily Townsman |location=Cranbrook, British Columbia |date=October 12, 2007 |page=1}}{{cite news |title= Opposition desperate, Bennett says |last=Warner |first=Gerry |newspaper= Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=November 15, 2007 |page=5}}{{cite news |title= Macdonald, Bennett have difference of opinion; Each accuse other of playing politics with electoral boundaries |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Townsman |location=Cranbrook, British Columbia |date=November 30, 2007 |page=3}}

On local issues Macdonald kept McMahon's constituency office in Revelstoke{{cite news |title= MLA Norm Macdonald will retain Wendy McMahon's office on First Street |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=July 13, 2005 |page=14}} and opened offices in Golden{{cite news |title= Macdonald announces Golden office opening |newspaper=The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=August 31, 2006 |page=6}} and Kimberley.{{cite news |title= MLA office open for business |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=September 29, 2005 |page=1}} His office produced a report, in early 2006, on health care services, based on public opinion and anecdotal user experiences, within his riding and delivered it to Interior Health.{{cite news |title= MLA Macdonald compiles health report; submits to Interior Health |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=February 22, 2006 |page=1}}{{cite news |title= Macdonald asks IH to address issues raised |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=March 1, 2006 |page=8}} While the health authority criticized and rebutted the report,{{cite news |title= IHA rebuts health care complaints |last=Rooney |first= David |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=February 22, 2006 |page=1}} several municipalities and a regional district asked for a review of Interior Health's operations.{{cite news |title= City to request independent review of Interior Health |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=March 15, 2006 |page=1}}{{cite news |title= Demand for IHA review grows |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=April 4, 2006 |page=1}}{{cite news |title= RDEK calls for assessment of IHA |last=Warner |first= Gerry |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=April 11, 2006 |page=1}} Macdonald issued a second, similar report later that year.{{cite news |title= Macdonald releases second health services report |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=July 14, 2006 |page=1}} When the provincial government launched its own Conversation on Health, in late 2006, Macdonald advocated on behalf of health care professionals who felt they were being dissuaded from participating.{{cite news |title= Speak out in the Conversation on Health |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=October 11, 2006 |page=11}} He was part of the opposition to the development of the Jumbo Glacier Resort{{cite news |title= Have things changed with Jumbo? |last=Warner |first=Gerry |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=January 7, 2008 |page=1}} and opposed an application by Fairmont Hot Springs Resort to pave a road through Columbia Lake Provincial Park to access a proposed residential subdivision.{{cite news |title= Macdonald does not support proposal |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=August 15, 2005 |page=1}} Macdonald continually lobbied Minister of Environment Barry Penner to re-acquire a conservation officer for Golden, a position that had been eliminated.{{cite news |title= Strong reaction over no CO again for Golden |newspaper= The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=March 15, 2006 |page=9}}{{cite news |title= Plea for Golden Conservation Officer continues |last=Keitch |first=Lorene |newspaper= The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=February 14, 2007 |page=1}}{{cite news |title= Golden to have conservation officer reinstated |newspaper= The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=February 6, 2008 |page=1}} The BC Liberals had promised a new conservation officer in Golden during the election but did not fill the position until Spring 2009.{{cite news |title= MOE officially opens Conservation Office |last=White |first= Carrie |newspaper= The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=April 14, 2009 |page=3}} After the legislature voted to increase the wages of MLAs, Macdonald donated that increase to community foundations and food banks in Golden, Kimberley and Invermere, and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.{{cite news |title= MLA Macdonald gives away salary increase |newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=December 19, 2007 |page=3}}

One of the largest issues made public by Macdonald during this time frame was the fight to protect public power in British Columbia. Legislative changes made in 2006 by the BC Liberal government promoted the development of private power projects on formerly wild rivers and creeks.{{Cite web |url=http://www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca/PDF/BC_Energy_Plan_Conservation.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-12-12 |archive-date=2013-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624173705/http://energyplan.gov.bc.ca/PDF/BC_Energy_Plan_Conservation.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Columbia River – Revelstoke was particularly impacted by these changes with more than 20 projects proposed within the constituency borders.{{cite book |last=Rooney |first=David |title=MLA warns of 20 power projects. Revelstoke Times Review |date=April 30, 2008 |page=1}} The power projects which were touted as providing 'green power' were seen to be destructive to the environment{{cite book |last=Payne |first=Colin |title='Green power' poses problems for environment. Golden Star |date=March 19, 2008 |page=1}} and were being approved without consent of local governments.{{cite book |last=Rooney |first=David |title=City, MLA oppose Bill 30. Revelstoke Times Review |date=May 17, 2006 |page=3}}

Macdonald joined with the Golden Chapter of the Council of Canadians, local environmental groups and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee in hosting a series of Rivers at Risk rallies in Revelstoke, Golden, Invermere and Kimberley,{{cite book |last=Payne |first=Colin |title=Rivers at Risk tour hits town. Golden Star |date=April 23, 2008}}{{cite book |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |title=Rivers at Risk open house Wednesday. Kimberley Daily Bulletin |date=April 21, 2008 |page=1}} where the response was very strong.{{cite book |title=Rivers at Risk meetings draw large crowds of concerned citizens. Golden Star |date=April 30, 2008 |page=3}}{{cite book |last=McPherson |first=Lindsay |title=Power project raises concerns. Invermere Valley Echo |date=April 30, 2008 |page=1}}

The community of Golden was particularly concerned about a proposed project on the Blaeberry River at Thompson Falls.{{cite book |title=Saving the Blaeberry Thompson Falls, concerned residents gather. Golden Star |date=May 21, 2008 |page=10}}{{cite book |last=Bishop |first=Andrew |title=Thompson Falls, picnic protest stages farewell to the falls. Golden Star |date=June 4, 2008 |page=1}} On May 26, 2008, Macdonald presented a petition signed by 1000 Golden and Area residents stating their opposition to a power project at Thompson Falls.[http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th4th/H80526p.htm Official Report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly] {{webarchive|date=February 5, 2011|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205184712/http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th4th/H80526p.htm}}

The largest proposed private power project in the area was Glacier/Howser which was heavily opposed by Columbia Valley residents{{cite book |last=Macdonald |first=Norm |title=Power projects raise questions. Revelstoke Times Review |date=April 23, 2008}} which resulted in even larger protest events being organized in Invermere.{{cite book |last=McPherson |first=Lindsay |title=Rivers rally planned for Invermere. Invermere Valley Echo |date=June 4, 2008 |page=7}} Former BC Social Credit Environment Minister and radio personality Rafe Mair, an outspoken opponent of the BC Liberal Energy Plan, spoke to a standing room-only crowd on June 11, 2008 where he said the government was "giving away our power to private interests, we will be handing over a great many of our rivers and creeks, which once underway, will be impossible to stop".{{cite book |last=Cobb |first=Ian |title='War' over water underway. Invermere Valley Echo |date=June 18, 2008 |page=1}}{{cite book |last=McPherson |first=Lindsay |title=Rafe Mair addresses key IPP issues. Invermere Valley Echo |date=June 18, 2008}}

Rafe Mair also appeared with Macdonald in Cranbrook at a Rivers at Risk event on June 12, 2008{{cite book |last=Warner |first=Gerry |title=Rafe Mair to speak at COTR. Cranbrook Daily Townsman |date=May 26, 2008}}{{cite book |last=Warner |first=Gerry |title=Rafe Mair to speak for Save our Rivers Coalition tonight. Cranbrook Daily Townsman |date=June 12, 2008}} where Mair warned that the BC Liberal Energy Plan could result in the bankruptcy of BC Hydro.{{cite book |last=Warner |first=Gerry |title=Mair says watch for BC Hydro sales. Cranbrook Daily Townsman |date=June 18, 2008 |page=4}} Macdonald and Mair also dropped in to Selkirk Secondary School in Kimberley to meet with students to discuss environmental and social issues.{{cite book |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |title=Environmental issues. Kimberley Daily Bulletin |date=June 18, 2008 |page=1}}

Macdonald asked the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Environment to come to the communities of Revelstoke, Golden, Invermere and Kimberley and hold public meetings to answer the people's concerns about private power.{{cite book |last=Macdonald |first=Norm |title=Government unwilling to attend public meeting. Revelstoke Times Review |date=July 23, 2008}}{{cite book |last=Cobb |first=Ian |title=MLA wants ministers to talk to locals about IPPs. Invermere Valley Echo |date=April 15, 2009 |page=6}} While visiting Golden on another file, the Minister of Environment was met by a large group of protestors who wanted local rivers and creeks protected from private power developments.{{cite book |last=White |first=Carrie |title=Penner faces tough questions from residents. Golden Star |date=April 22, 2009 |page=3}}

As part of the 2009 election campaign, the New Democrats promised a moratorium on private power projects until a full review could be made to ensure that projects made environmental and economic sense and that the cumulative impacts of all projects was fully understood.{{cite book |last=Orlando |first=Aaron |title=Columbia River Revelstoke candidates weigh in on IPP debate. Revelstoke Times Review |date=April 29, 2009 |page=13}} In many communities in the constituency, private power was a ballot box issue; Macdonald won 55.29% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/2009GE/CLR.pdf|access-date=15 April 2023|website=elections.bc.ca|title=- Columbia River-Revelstoke Electoral District|date=May 12, 2009}}

As the 2009 provincial election approached, Macdonald was acclaimed as the NDP candidate{{cite news |title= Macdonald accepts nomination in Kimberley |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=December 8, 2008 |page=1}} and Revelstoke mayor Mark McKee won the BC Liberal nomination.{{cite news |title= Liberal candidate confident |last=Grant |first= Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=January 22, 2009 |page=1}} BC Conservative leader Wilfred Hanni announced his intention to run in the riding{{cite news |title= Hanni to run in Columbia River-Revelstoke |last=Warner |first= Gerry |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=January 16, 2009 |page=5}} but later switched to neighbouring Kootenay East.{{cite news |title=Hanni to run in East Kootenay after all |last=Warner |first=Gerry |newspaper=Daily Townsman |location=Cranbrook, British Columbia |date=April 1, 2009 |page=1}} The Green Party added a late entrant, Sarah Svensson, a UBC doctoral student, but she did not campaign in the riding.{{cite news |title= Green Party candidate for Columbia River-Revelstoke |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |newspaper= Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=May 5, 2009 |page=1}} It was expected to be a safe win for Macdonald,{{cite news |title= Lower Mainland polling company examines East Kootenay issues |last=Warner |first= Gerry |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=January 7, 2009 |page=4}}{{cite news |title=Who's who for Columbia River-Revelstoke |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=March 24, 2009 |page=4}} who attacked the BC Liberals over recent mill closures and forestry issues{{cite news |title= Closures impact 350 workers |newspaper=The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=February 10, 2009 |page=1}} while the BC Liberals tried to prove Macdonald was "secretly endorsing"{{cite news |title= MOE claims Macdonald secretly supports IPPs |last=White |first=Carrie |newspaper= The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=April 23, 2009 |page=13}} independent power producers while publicly calling for a moratorium on them. While Macdonald won the riding with over 50% of the vote, his BC NDP formed the official opposition to BC Liberals won re-election as majority government.

As the 39th Parliament began, caucus members elected Macdonald as Caucus Chair{{cite book |title=MLA Norm Macdonald named NDP Caucus Chair,Golden Star |date=July 1, 2009 |page=1}} and party leader Carole James reassigned Macdonald to be the critic for Forests and Range and Integrated Land Management, with Bill Routley as his deputy critic.{{cite news |title= New forest critic Macdonald puts focus on keeping mills open |last=Orlando |first=Aaron |newspaper= Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=June 22, 2009 |page=3}} Together the critic team toured Vancouver Island investigating the issues of the island's forestry industry{{cite news |title= NDP forest industry tour hits N. Cow. |last=Simpson |first=Sarah |newspaper=Cowichan Valley Citizen |location=Duncan, British Columbia |date=July 24, 2009 |page=15}} and successfully made amendments to the government's proposed Woodworkers Lien Act.{{cite news |title=MLAs co-operate and public wins |newspaper=Times Colonist |location=Victoria, British Columbia |date= June 3, 2010 |page=A10}} Macdonald joined local opponents and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee who sought to block logging operations in the Mount Arrowsmith UNESCO biosphere reserve near Nanoose Bay.{{cite news |title=Fight is on to save unique Nanoose forest from logging |last=Bellaart |first=Darrell |newspaper=Nanaimo Daily News |location=Nanaimo, British Columbia |date=August 23, 2010 |page=3}} Locally, Macdonald closed his Revelstoke office and opted to hold public meetings in various communities throughout the year.{{cite news |title= Macdonald to close Revelstoke constituency office |newspaper= Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=June 22, 2009 |page=7}} He worked with the Ministry of Environment on addressing an urban deer herd in Kimberley.{{cite news |title=Macdonald pleased with Environment Minister's response to deer issue |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=March 5, 2010 |page=3}} He continued his feud with Bennett, this time over the proposed Jumbo Resort{{cite news |title=Macdonald, Bennett disagree on Jumbo decision |last=Grant |first=Annalee |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=August 10, 2009 |page=5}} and the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax,{{cite news |title=MLA Macdonald criticizes Bennett on HST tax issue |newspaper=The Kootenay Advertiser |location=Cranbrook, British Columbia |date=August 28, 2009 |page=9}} both of which Macdonald opposed but Bennett advocated for. Macdonald openly advocated on behalf of workers at the British Columbia Ambulance Service who were on strike{{cite news |title=Still on strike; Paramedics/Macdonald call for arbitrator |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=September 11, 2009 |page=1}} and he put his support behind a proposal to include the David Thompson Heritage Lands, the Columbia River, as a National Historic Site.{{cite news |title=MLA Macdonald supports heritage lands |last=Knoop |first=James |newspaper=The Golden Star |location=Golden, British Columbia |date=May 2, 2010 |page=1}}

In October 2010, Macdonald abruptly resigned as the NDP caucus chairman.{{cite news |title=B.C. NDP faces crisis of leadership |last=Hunter |first=Justine |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=October 16, 2010 |page=A12}} He explained that the resignation was in reaction to the party leader's removal of Bob Simpson, who had publicly criticized James, from the NDP caucus without consulting the caucus beforehand.{{cite news |title=NDP caucus chairman quits over matter of principle; Carole James gave rebel the shove without 'involving' caucus in decision |last=Smyth |first=Michael |newspaper=The Province |location=Vancouver |date=October 17, 2010 |page=A4}} As more MLAs came out against James' leadership, Macdonald backed Jenny Kwan's request that James call a leadership convention.{{cite news |title=Kwan is right, says MLA; NDP icon must be listened to, MLA Norm Macdonald says |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=December 3, 2010 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=James heads for showdown with dissidents |last=Fowlie |first=Jonathan |newspaper= The Vancouver Sun |location=Vancouver |date=December 4, 2010 |page=A19}} While James initially rejected the request, James did resign in December.{{cite news |title=Time was right for James to step down, MLA says |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |newspaper= Daily Bulletin |location=Kimberley, British Columbia |date=December 8, 2010 |page=1}} During the subsequent leadership election, Macdonald endorsed Mike Farnworth calling him "competent, ethical (and) responsive to the issues that the people feel are important".{{cite news |title=MLA Macdonald supports Mike Farnworth bid |newspaper= Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=January 25, 2011 |page=1}} Adrian Dix eventually won the leadership vote but Dix kept Macdonald as the party's forestry and lands critic.{{cite news |title=NDP Shadow Cabinet announced |last=Crane |first=Darryl |newspaper= The Lake Windermere Valley Echo |location=Invermere, British Columbia |date=May 3, 2011 |page=1}}

In January 2011, Macdonald published an opinion piece in which he advocated for three specific democratic reforms: adopting a mixed-member proportional representation voting system, strengthening the role of the legislative committee system, and strengthening oversight offices like the Auditor General and the Children's Representative.{{cite news |title=MLA Macdonald proposes reforms in Victoria |last=Macdonald |first=Norm |newspaper= Revelstoke Times Review |location=Revelstoke, British Columbia |date=January 19, 2011 |page=1}}

Macdonald again sought reelection in the 2013 provincial election. He was challenged by BC Liberal Doug Clovechok, Earl Olsen of Fairmont Hot Springs for the BC Conservatives and Laurel Ralston of Kimberle for the BC Green Party, though Macdonald was favoured to win.{{cite news |title=Liberals, Conservatives, Greens face uphill battle to unseat NDP in Columbia River-Revelstoke |last=Cooper |first=Alex|newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |date=April 16, 2013 |page=1}} The result ended up closer than expected and though Macdonald won the Columbia River-Revelstoke seat, his NDP again formed the official opposition to a BC Liberal majority government in the 40th Parliament.{{cite news |title=Macdonald keeps seat in Opposition |last=Grant |first=Carolyn |newspaper=Daily Bulletin |location= Kimberley, BC |date=May 15, 2013 |page=1}} After NDP leader Dix resigned, Macdonald again endorsed Farnworth as a suitable replacement,{{cite news |title= MLA Norm Macdonald not running B.C. NDP leadership |last=Cooper |first=Alex|newspaper=Revelstoke Times Review |date=September 19, 2013 |page=1}} though John Horgan would go on to win the 2014 British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election. In 2014 Macdonald introduced a private member bill, the British Columbia Open Mining Act, 2014 (Bill M-214), that would amend the Mines Act to create a Public Electronic Registry that would make all mine-related application, licence, permit, and inspection report to be publicly visible.{{cite web |url=https://www.leg.bc.ca/Pages/BCLASS-Legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Flegacy%2Fweb%2F40th3rd%2F1st_read%2Fm214-1.htm |title=Bill M 214 – 2014 British Columbia Open Mining Act, 2014 |date=November 27, 2014 |publisher=Province of BC}} In May 2016, Macdonald announced that he would not seek re-election in the upcoming 2017 provincial election.{{cite news |title=MLA Norm Macdonald announces he wont seek another term |last=Schwitek|first=Jessica|newspaper=The Golden Star |location= Golden, BC |date=May 25, 2016 |page=1}} In that election, Clovechok won his former seat for the BC Liberals, though the NDP would go on to form the government in the 41st Parliament.

{{2013 British Columbia general election/Columbia River-Revelstoke}}

{{Election FPTP begin | title=B.C. General Election 2009: Columbia River-Revelstoke}}

|-

{{Canadian party colour|BC|NDP|row}}

|NDP

|Norm Macdonald

|align="right"|7,419

|align="right"|55

|align="right"|

|align="right"|$39,287

{{CANelec|BC|Liberal |Mark McKee |5,093 |38 | |$120,550}}

{{CANelec |BC |Green |Sarah Svensson |907 |7 |– |$350}}

|- style="background:white;"

! style="text-align:right;" colspan="3"|Total Valid Votes

!align="right"|13,419

!align="right"|100

|- style="background:white;"

! style="text-align:right;" colspan="3"|Total Rejected Ballots

!align="right"|101

!align="right"|0.7

|- style="background:white;"

! style="text-align:right;" colspan="3"|Turnout

!align="right"|13,520

!align="right"|56

|}

{{Election FPTP begin | title=B.C. General Election 2005 Columbia River-Revelstoke}}

|-

{{Canadian party colour|BC|NDP|row}}

|NDP

|Norm Macdonald

|align="right"|7,460

|align="right"|52

|align="right"|

|align="right"|$38,430

{{CANelec|BC|Liberal |Wendy McMahon |5,750 |40 | |$93,950}}

|-

{{CANelec |BC |Green |Andy Shadrack |1,217 |8 |– |$168}}

|- style="background:white;"

! style="text-align:right;" colspan="3"|Total Valid Votes

!align="right"|14,427

!align="right"|100

|- style="background:white;"

! style="text-align:right;" colspan="3"|Total Rejected Ballots

!align="right"|104

!align="right"|0.7

|- style="background:white;"

! style="text-align:right;" colspan="3"|Turnout

!align="right"|14,531

!align="right"|62

|}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/39thParl/macdonaldN.htm Legislative Assembly of British Columbia] - Norm Macdonald, 39th Parliament of BC
• [http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/38thParl/macdonald.htm Legislative Assembly of British Columbia] - Norm Macdonald, 38th Parliament of BC
• [http://www.normmacdonald.ca/ Member of the Legislative Assembly] - Norm Macdonald (Columbia River-Revelstoke)
• [https://www.bcndp.ca/people/norm-macdonald British Columbia New Democratic Party] - Norm Macdonald

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macdonald, Norm}}

Category:British Columbia New Democratic Party MLAs

Category:Canadian people of Scottish descent

Category:Canadian schoolteachers

Category:20th-century mayors of places in British Columbia

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia