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

Member's Statement On NTCL Employee Pension Plan
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've all heard about NTCL's financial problems. It's been granted creditor protection because it owes over $130 million that it can't pay. Steps are being taken to raise that money. As one such step, NTCL made an application with the Court of Queen's Bench in Alberta to cease the special payments it has been making to top up an underfunded employee pension plan. The plan is only funded to around 80 per cent, with a shortfall of about $22 million. That application is going to be heard by the court on October 26th, next Wednesday.

If NTCL is successful, it...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Welcome, Mr. Hagen. I see nothing further on page 62. Committee, turn back to page 59, we can consider the departmental total. Lands, total capital estimate, $110,000.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Minister.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister, would you like to respond?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Minister, I'd like to thank you and your witnesses for appearing before us. Sergeant–at-Arms, please escort the witnesses from the Chamber. Minister, you can keep your seat if you're next. No? Minister, you have to go back. Next, committee has agreed to consider the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources. Minister McLeod, would you like to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson. I apologize. Mr. Hagen.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Would the Minister like to respond?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 143-18(2), Capital Estimates 2017-2018, and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.