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 7)

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Would you like to bring witnesses into the Chamber, Mr. Blake?

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

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does Committee agree? We will take a brief recess and resume with the first item.

---SHORT RECESS

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

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. There's a motion of the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

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

Lots of good news out of the Minister of Finance today.

---Laughter

That last response answered my next question, so I just want to thank the Minister and let him know that I will be following up with this on the floor of the House and privately.

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

Bill 1 is now ready for a third reading. Does committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Bill 1?

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

Thank you for the answer. I will follow up with the Minister on that in the future. According to the Government Contract Regulations, all purchases over $5,000 must go to tender. Given that this is also an antiquated amount and doesn't reflect the reality of doing business in 2016, will the government commit to amending the Government Contract Regulations by increasing this $5,000 threshold.

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

Clause 2.

Member’s Statement on Tribute to the Northern Journal
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We all know that in the NWT, government contracts account for a large portion of private industry revenue. By changing the way the government does business, we can alleviate some of the fiscal pressure on small- and medium-sized businesses, and help grow our economy from the ground up. For example, to bid on government tenders worth over $100,000, a five per cent cash bond or 10 per cent security bond is required. For a small operator who may not have access to conventional bonding, this can pose a significant obstacle. When people are just trying to make ends meet...

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

Does the committee agree that we proceed by a clause-by-clause review of the bill?