R.J. Simpson

Member Hay River North

Premier
Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs
Minister of Justice
Government House Leader

R.J. Simpson was elected to the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, representing the constituency of Hay River North. On December 7th, 2023, Mr. Simpson was elected Premier of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Simpson was formerly acclaimed to the 19th Legislative Assembly and first elected into the 18th Assembly in 2015.

Mr. Simpson was Deputy Speaker of the 18th Assembly, Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, and the Chair of the Special Committee on Transition Matters. Mr. Simpson was also a member of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning and the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment.

Mr. Simpson is a lifelong resident of Hay River After graduating from Diamond Jenness Secondary School in 1998 Mr. Simpson went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts from MacEwan University and a law degree from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law.

Mr. Simpson has previously worked with the Government of Canada, Northern Transportation Company Ltd, Métis Nation Local 51, and Maskwa Engineering.

While at law school, Mr. Simpson was the President of the Aboriginal Law Students’ Association. He has also served on the board of the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre in Hay River and volunteered with the Canada-Ghana Education Project.

Hay River North Electoral District

Committees

Hay River North
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
867-767-9141
Extension
11120
Constituency Office

62, promenade Woodland, bureau 104
Hay River Nord NT X0E 1G1
Canada

Phone
867-874-6301
Minister
Email
Email
Premier of the Northwest Territories, Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Minister of Justice, Government House Leader

Statements in Debates

Question 47818(2): Fish Processing Plant for Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, I spoke about the infrastructure deficit when it comes to commercial fisheries in Hay River, so I have some questions for the Minister of ITI.

As far as I understand, the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation is responsible for maintaining their commercial fishing infrastructure in the territory. Somehow, we let them shirk their responsibilities, and the fishermen are the ones who ultimately suffered. Now we're left with a packing plant that needs about $2 million in upgrades to bring it up to code. I'd like an update on the status of the negotiations with...

Question 47818(2): Fish Processing Plant for Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 44)

As MLA for Hay River North, I regularly attend GSLAC meetings, I meet privately with the NWT Fishermen's Federation president, I attend the NWT Fishermen's Federation meetings, I talk to fishermen in Hay River, and I know that these issues they brought to GSLAC. The issues with zoning aren't being addressed. When I went to my first GSLAC meeting, they brought up issues. We went to the second one, there were the same issues with absolutely no movement. If anything, there was a denial of doing anything. I've also hear, from the federation that when they talk to the bureaucrats they tell them, we...

Question 47818(2): Fish Processing Plant for Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 44)

It's good to hear that we're moving and it should be in within a week. If a deal can't be struck with Freshwater -- given their track record, I'm not sure one can be, but I'm still hopeful -- will the GNWT take the initiative and dip into that $1.4 million they've had set aside and build a fish processing plant in Hay River?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. I'll open the floor to general comments on the report. I'm seeing none. Ms. Green.

Committee Motion 46-18(2): Committee Report 4-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts – Reporting on Student Loan Remissions, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Mr. Nakimayak.

Committee Motion 42-18(2): Committee Report 4-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts – Adherence to Deadlines for Completion of Public Accounts, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Question has been called.

---Carried

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you. Committee will resume after a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

Committee Motion 46-18(2): Committee Report 4-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts – Reporting on Student Loan Remissions, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Minister Sebert. To the motion. Mr. Testart.

Committee Motion 41-18(2): Committee Report 4-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts – Completion of Interim and Final Public Accounts, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Question has been called.

---Carried

Mr. McNeely.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.