MacNutt was a member of the Territorial Assembly from 1902 until 1905. He was then a member of the Saltcoats constituency when he was the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in 1906. As a Speaker, the office required knowledge of the rules of the house and impartiality.
MacNutt held seats in the Territorial Assembly from 1902 to 1905, before becoming the inaugural Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in 1906. As Speaker, he was expected to possess knowledge of legislative rules and maintain impartiality.