Career
MacQuarrie was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in the 1979 Northwest Territories general election. He served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for 1 year. He resigned from his post as speaker because he wanted to participate in debates in the Legislature.
Robert was re-elected in Yellowknife Centre in the 1983 Northwest Territories general election.
As chairman of the Special Committee on Unity, and later as vice-chairman of the Western Constitutional Forum Robert played a significant role in the division of the Northwest Territories.