John Alexander MacDonell (November 22, 1854 – October 27, 1912) was a Canadian politician.

Born in Dundas, Canada West, MacDonell was educated in Hamilton and Toronto.

At one time, he also was editor and owner of the Manitou Mercury; MacDonell also took part in the survey and construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

[1] A former member of the Dufferin Municipal Council, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 1886 as Liberal candidate for the riding of Lorne.

In 1896, he was elected to the House of Commons of Canada for the electoral district of Selkirk.