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

Member’s Statement on Dredging the Port of Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm using my first few Members’ statements of this Assembly to inform the other Members and the people of the NWT about the major issues affecting Hay River. I know the returning Members are aware of this particular issue, because my predecessor made countless statements on it.

I'm speaking of the build-up of sediments in the Port of Hay River, which has reached a crisis level. The federal government used to dredge the waterways around Hay River and at points on the Mackenzie River. That program ended in the early 1990s and virtually nothing has been done since. The...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 118(2), Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019. I would like to report progress, with one motion being adopted. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Are there any more general comments? Ms. Green.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

The results of the recorded vote are 10 in favour; zero opposed; seven abstentions. The motion is carried

---Carried

Mr. Beaulieu.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Nadli.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. A recorded vote has been requested. All those in favour, please stand.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

I will now open the floor to general comments on the tabled document. Mr. Vanthuyne.

Committee Motion 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Deletion Of Fiscal Context Section, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Would any other Member like to speak to the motion? Minister McLeod.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Do you wish to invite witnesses to the table?

Committee Motion 1-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Deletion Of Fiscal Context Section, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Are there any other Members who would like to speak to this motion? Mr. Testart.