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

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Do we have any further comments or questions on page 370? Seeing none, I shall call the page. NWT Housing Corporation, programs and district operations, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $32,440,000. Agreed?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. O’Reilly. I have no one further on my list so we can proceed to the next page, page 242. Economic diversification and business support, active positions. Comments? Questions? Mr. O’Reilly.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Ms. Green. Are there any further comments or questions on this section? Mr. Nadli.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Mr. Thompson.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Minister.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Mr. Nakimayak.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Minister. Committee, we left on pages 240 and 241, economic diversification and business support. We’re looking at the detail of this division. Do we have any further comments or questions on pages 240 and 241? Mr. O’Reilly.

Question 242-18(2): Development of an Oil and Gas Strategy
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

2017, we’re still a year away. A lot of analysts believe oil is rebounding at a much quicker rate than expected. I know some good policy people with a lot of experience in Hay River who might be able to help the department get this done a little bit quicker. Earlier I also mentioned some of the challenges we’re facing attracting investment. What does the Minister see as our biggest challenge and what’s the department doing about it?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister.