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

Committee Motion 26-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Motion for Formal Adoption of Tabled Document 1-18(2) as Amended, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

There is a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Question 45-18(2): Apprenticeship Programs
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

Just a comment: I look forward to working with the Minister on solving some of these issues, and I will be following up on the progress they are making on the floor of this House in the future.

Committee Motion 6-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Replacement of Text Regarding Management of Contaminated Sites, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. O’Reilly. To the motion. Mr. Nakimayak.

Committee Motion 4-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Replacement of Text Regarding the Northern Manufacturing Industry, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I conclude the debate.

Committee Motion 9-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Addition of Text Regarding French Language Education, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. O’Reilly. To the motion. Mr. Testart.

Question 45-18(2): Apprenticeship Programs
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my Member’s statement, I highlighted some of the problems we face in regards to apprenticeships in the regional centres, and I imagine they are much worse in the smaller communities. I have had business owners and journeymen comment to me that the system is better putting up roadblocks than helping Northerners achieve success. I ask the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment what his department is doing to specifically address the issues we face in regional centres and small communities, given that the current system is inadequate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 6-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Replacement of Text Regarding Management of Contaminated Sites, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. O’Reilly. To the motion. Mr. Nakimayak.

Committee Motion 4-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Replacement of Text Regarding the Northern Manufacturing Industry, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

Mr. Chair, I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of Government of Northwest Territories 2016-2019, be amended on page 12 by deleting the words “We will help to promote products manufactured in the NWT” and inserting the words “We will develop a northern manufacturing strategy in collaboration with industry and the NWT's Manufacturer's Association to expand the manufacturing sector, identify potential areas of growth, promote, and market products manufactured in the NWT and aid in the professional and technological advancement of the industry.”

Committee Motion 8-18(2): Tabled Document 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Replacement of Text Regarding Cultural Programming and Official Languages, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

We'll now continue on our discussion. I have the “Education, Training, and Youth Development” section. Are there any comments or questions? Mr. O'Reilly.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 4)

All those abstaining, please stand. The results of the recorded vote are ten in favour, seven opposed, zero abstentions. The motion is carried.

Carried

We will continue our discussion of the section, “Economy, Environment, and Climate Change.” Mr. O'Reilly.