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

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. The way that we usually proceed with these reports is that the chair will move as motions the recommendations within the report. There are two in this report. Before we get into that, I will open up the floor to general comments on the report itself. Do we have any general comments from committee relating to the report? First, Ms. Green.

Committee Motion 133-18(3): Standing Committee on Government Operations Committee Report on the Review of Bill 29: An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Response within 120 days, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Thank you, Minister Sebert. I will now turn to the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, which is the committee that considered the bill, for any opening comments. Mr. Testart.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Thank you, committee. We will consider the three documents after a brief recess. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Committee Motion 133-18(3): Standing Committee on Government Operations Committee Report on the Review of Bill 29: An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Response within 120 days, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Committee, do you agree that this concludes consideration of Committee Report 16-18(3), Report on the Review of Bill 29, an Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

I will now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Testart.

Committee Motion 132-18(3) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 29: An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Inclusion of Housing Association and Housing Authorities as Public Bod
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Thank you, committee. Mr. Testart.

Question 743-18(3): Closure of Highway No. 1
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Now, this happened less than 24 hours ago, I believe, the closure was. There were some people who were on their way up north, some people headed south, and I am not sure what the fuel situation is where these people were stopped, if they have all turned around and gone home, but are there motorists who are stranded at either end, and if so, are there services being provided to them, just basic things like access to washrooms and water and fuel?

Committee Motion 132-18(3) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 29: An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Inclusion of Housing Association and Housing Authorities as Public Bod
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion. Minister Sebert.

Question 743-18(3): Closure of Highway No. 1
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday afternoon the highway between High Level and Enterprise was closed because of a fire that is straddling the highway by Steen River. Not only has this stranded some residents, but the majority of foods and goods that come into the territory travel along that highway. That is because it is the most economical route. If all of the truck traffic needs to be routed through BC and up the Liard Highway, you can be assured that the price of everything is going to go up, not just for the residents, but for businesses and for the GNWT, and depending on how long this is...

Committee Motion 131-18(3) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 29: An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – Implementation of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 76)

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, committee. Mr. Testart.