R.J. Simpson

Member Hay River North

Premier
Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs

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

R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Rj_simpson@ntassembly.ca
Phone
867-767-9141 (link is a phone number)
Extension
11120
Constituency Office

62, promenade Woodland, bureau 104
Hay River Nord NT X0E 1G1
Canada

Phone
867-874-6301(link is a phone number)
Minister
Email
Rj_simpson@gov.nt.ca
Premier of the Northwest Territories, Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Minister of Justice, Government House Leader

Statements in Debates

Member’s Statement on Admissions Policy for Ecole Boreale
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights of people whose first language is French or whose primary school education was in French to have their children educated in that language if they reside in a province or territory where that is the linguistic minority. In Hay River, Ecole Boreale services this right. In 2008, the Minister of Education issued a directive stating that admissions to French language programs shall be restricted only to those students who qualify according to a strict interpretation of section 23 and have the...

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

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Question 14-18(2): Enrolment Directive for French First Language
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 2)

I'd just also like to ask, would the Minister commit to working in good faith with the Hay River District Education Authority (DEA) and the Commission scolaire to find a solution to the Ecole Boreale enrolment issue?

Question 14-18(2): Enrolment Directive for French First Language
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement today about Ecole Boreale and the ministerial directive, I will be directing my questions to the honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Will the Minister commit to conducting review in good faith of the ministerial directive related to the enrolment of students in French first-language language education programs before the end of this school year? Thank you.

Motion 4-18(2): Appointments to the Striking Committee
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 1)

I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion.

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O'Reilly, Mr. Testart, and Mr. Thompson be appointed to the Striking Committee of this Assembly.

At the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Member’s Statement on Hay River Economic Reality
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Through conversation with other Members, I have come to realize the economic realities we’re facing in Hay River, the territory's second largest community, aren't well known outside of the town. Even though this Assembly is in its infancy, the decisions we make in the coming months will have both immediate and lasting effects. Because we need to make informed decisions, I want to provide all of my colleagues with some context regarding the fragile state of Hay River's economy. The economic downturn is evident all over the territory. However, there are certain...

Motion 2-18(2): Appointment of Deputy Chairpersons of Committee of the Whole, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 1)

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Motion 1-18(2): Appointment of Deputy Speaker, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 1)

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Motion 2-18(2): Appointment of Deputy Chairpersons of Committee of the Whole
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 1)

I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., and the honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Daniel McNeely, be appointed as deputy chairpersons of the Committee of the Whole.

Motion 4-18(2): Appointments to the Striking Committee, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 1)

WHEREAS it is required by rule 89(2) that the Legislative Assembly shall appoint a Striking Committee of five Members to report and recommend, with all convenient speed, Members to comprise the Standing Committees;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O’Reilly, Mr. Testart, and Mr. Thompson be appointed to the Striking Committee of this Assembly.