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

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

The Committee will take a short recess and discuss the matter when we get back.

---SHORT RECESS

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

Thank you, committee. We will begin with the “Introduction” section. Do Members have any comments or questions regarding this section? I'm seeing no comments or questions. Do Members have any comments or questions regarding the “Fiscal Context” section? Mr. Vanthuyne.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's good to hear that we're engaging the appropriate federal Ministers on this topic. Finally, in addition to encouraging the federal government to dredge the areas in question, would this government be willing to provide any assistance to the federal government such as planning, logistical support, or possibly committing a small amount of resources towards it if such assistance was required to initiate the project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Nakimayak.

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

Given that during that the last Assembly, the then Minister of Transportation recognized the importance of a viable harbour in Hay River to the economic well-being of the community, the region, and the territory, has the government analyzed the potential economic benefits of taking concrete action in regards to dredging?

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

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Blake.

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

This week we have two Pages from Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River. I'd like to recognize them, Riella Bordey and Marcel Frise. They're grade 9 students and they'll be helping us out all week, and I thank them. I'd also like to thank my constituency assistant, Anne Peters, in the gallery. She's also a constituent. Prior to this, she was an executive assistant at the Chamber of Commerce in Hay River and spent 22 years with the Canadian Armed Forces. I'd also like to recognize Mandee McDonald and Erin Freeland Ballantyne from Dechinta University.

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

Thank you, Ms. Green. Mr. Thompson.

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

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. I will now rise and report progress.

---Carried

I would like to thank the officials and the witnesses for joining us today.