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

R.J. Simpson
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 Report 35-18(3): "Lessons Learned" Report of the Special Committee on Transition Matters
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 88)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to provide the "Lessons Learned" Report of the Special Committee on Transition Matters. This report represents the work of the Special Committee on Transition Matters, the second of its kind. The report reflects the committee's shared commitment to make incremental improvements to the unique form of consensus government that exists in the Northwest Territories. Its intention is to offer the best advice and accumulated wisdom of the Members of the 18th Legislative Assembly to those of the 19th.

The terms of reference for this committee were more narrowly...

Member's Statement on Recognition of "Buffalo" Joe McBryan
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 88)

If a loved one gets sick or passes away and you need to be by their side or to mourn, he will help you get to them and ask nothing in return. If you had to spend Christmas at the hospital in Edmonton away from your family, he would make sure that you got your Christmas gifts free of charge.

Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of the examples of Buffalo Joe's acts of generosity, and, when you consider that he has been at it for nearly half a century, you know that there are countless more. These are the reasons that Buffalo Joe McBryan was inducted into the Order of the NWT. I want to thank him...

Committee Motion 212-18(3): Standing Committee on Economic Development and environment Report on the Review of Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act - government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

I will now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Bill 34, Mineral Resources Act. I will turn to the Minister responsible for opening comments. Minister Schumann.

Committee Motion 213-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act – Amend Clause 1 to replace definition of "settlement Lands", Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Thank you. Mr. Nadli.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

All those abstaining, please rise.

Committee Motion 217-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act – Amend Clause 22, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Thank you. To the motion.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

All those abstaining, please rise.

Committee Motion 222-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act – Amend Clause 24(7), Defeated
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Thank you. Ms. Strand.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

I will now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, clause 24 as amended. Mr. O'Reilly.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

The results of the recorded vote are: four in favour, 11 opposed, one abstention. The motion is defeated.

---Defeated

To clause 42 as amended.

---Clauses 42 through 49

Ms. Green.