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

Extension

11120

Constituency Office

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

Phone

Minister

Email

Email

Premier of the Northwest Territories, Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Minister of Justice, Government House Leader

Statements in Debates

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does Committee agree?

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 14318(2), Capital Estimates, 20172018. I would like to report progress, and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Question 332-18(2): NWT Agricultural Strategy

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

I appreciate that answer, as well. That's good to hear. We have a program, an agreement with the federal government, Growing Forward 2. It matches GNWT contributions 60/40, and it's used to grow the agriculture sector, particularly commercial agriculture. At the current rate of GNWT contributions we're going to miss out on over $1 million of this federal funding. Does the department have a plan to increase its contribution to take full advantage of the federal funds before the fiveyear agreement ends?

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Minister. Do we have any more general comments? Seeing no general comments, what is the wish of the committee, Mr. Beaulieu?

Question 332-18(2): NWT Agricultural Strategy

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to talk about agriculture. I know it seems odd now there's snow on the ground, but we need to be ready for next spring. In the summer of 2015, the Government of the Northwest Territories underwent community consultations for the development of the NWT Agriculture Strategy. We're now in the fall of 2016, and so I would like to get an update from the Minister of ITI to see where that strategy is, to make sure that it's ready to be implemented for next spring? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Minister McLeod. I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone in the gallery for joining us for these proceedings. It's always nice to have an audience. Next on my list, I have Mr. Testart.

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Next on my list, I have Mr. Vanthuyne.

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Minister McLeod. I apologize. Minister?

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

It has been a while since I have been in the Chair. Thank you, Minister McLeod. We have agreed to begin with general comments. Would the Minister like to bring any witnesses into the Chamber?

Debates of October 17, 2016 , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 31)

You may proceed.