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 8)

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister McLeod.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I now call the Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Blake, and thank you to your witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witnesses from the Chamber. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Question 72-18(2): Supporting Small Businesses with GNWT Contracting Policies
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

That is very good news. I appreciate that. When awarding contracts for large multi-million-dollar capital projects, do factors such as the ability for local businesses to participate in the contract, the potential for capacity building, the cost savings associated with having locals employed and so on, ever factor into the decision? Or are contracts awarded without consideration of these potential benefits?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

Committee, to the bill as a whole, does committee agree that Bill 1 is now reading for third reading?

Question 72-18(2): Supporting Small Businesses with GNWT Contracting Policies
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about some changes that the government should undertake that would help small businesses grow, help build our capacity, and keep Northerners working. These are cross-departmental issues, but I will address my questions to the Minister of Finance. As I stated, to bid on government tenders worth over $100,000, bidders must put down a five per cent cash bond or a 10 per cent security bond. Given that this requirement may unduly penalize small businesses that are just doing their best to get ahead or stay afloat in this economy, and given that there's other...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

We will defer the bill number and title until after consideration of the clauses. Please turn to page 1 of the bill. I will give everyone a moment to find page 1. If everyone is at page 1 of the bill, clause 1.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Seeing no further comments, does the Committee agree that we conclude general comments?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister of Finance.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Blake. I would like to now open the floor up to general comments on Bill 1. Mr. Vanthuyne.