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 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. Testart. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.

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

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document No. 1-18(2) titled, “Proposed Mandate of the Government of Northwest Territories, 2016-2019.” I will turn to Premier McLeod for opening comments.

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. The document is being circulated. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Vanthuyne.

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

I now call the Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of Committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

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

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Thank you, committee. Do you agree that we have concluded general comments on Tabled Document 1-18(2) and that we proceed to consideration of the document by section?

Question 23-18(2): Port of Hay River Dredging Efforts
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Because the GNWT does undertake the obligation to encourage the federal government to dredge, has there been any progress on this issue during your meetings with the new federal Minister or with the Prime Minister?

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

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. McNeely.

Question 23-18(2): Port of Hay River Dredging Efforts
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member’s statement today, I have questions I'd like to direct at the Minister of Transportation regarding the dredging of the port of Hay River. Given the importance of safe marine operating conditions to the physical well-being of those using the waterways and the economic well-being of the industries that depend on those waterways what, if any, responsibility does the GNWT have in regards to ensuring safe marine operating conditions?

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

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Beaulieu.

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...