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

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 161)

In favour.

Tabled Document 972-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 5119(2) Report on Indigenous Representation in the Northwest Territories Public Service
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 161)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following five documents: Government of the Northwest Territories response to Motion 7419(2) Reconciliatory Review of Housing NWT's Collection Approach; Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 7719(2) Review of the Territorial Land Lease Policy and Procedures; Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 4019(2) Report on the Review of Bill 61, An Act to Amend the Ombud Act; Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 5019(2) Strengthening Community Supports, Lifting...

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 161)

In favour.

Question 1566-19(2): Income Assistance payment Delay
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I'm not aware of any changes that were made at that operational level, and the staff are getting ready to make changes to the system as a whole as we introduce the new income assistance stream for seniors and persons with disabilities so that change should be happening in the next couple of months, few months. But as for a change that happened in the last couple weeks, I'm not aware of that but, as I said, I will look into this. Thank you.

Question 1565-19(2): Child Care
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So as I stated, the department has gone out and has been working directly with child care providers. There's always ongoing discussions with the Early Childhood Association. On the website there is a lot of information for parents. We are trying to determine what the wait lists are. You know, a number of parents will put their names on a number of different wait lists. We don't really have a sense of, you know, how many duplicates there are so it's very unclear at this point. So we're trying to get to the bottom of that as well because we want to make sure that we know...

Bill 72: Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 72, Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, be read for the third time. And, Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you.

Question 1565-19(2): Child Care
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I believe just last week is when the department really went out and started working with child care providers to get a better understanding of the financial situation. Based on the feedback, the wage grid will be based on geographic location, current wages, roles, responsibilities, experience, postsecondary education, other education, and Indigenous knowledge. And as we develop it, there may be more factors to be taken into account. Thank you.

Tabled Document 964-19(2): Letter to Chair of Standing Committee on Social Development Regarding Government of the Northwest Territories Intervening in Supreme Court of Canada Case on the Report of Child and Family Services
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Letter to Chair of Standing Committee on Social Development Regarding Government of the Northwest Territories Intervening in Supreme Court of Canada Case on the Report of Child and Family Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize a page from Hay River North who has been with us this week, Mr. Nicolas Graham. Right now he's a page, and you might see him sitting around the room but I'm confident that one day he will be sitting in one of our seats. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1569-19(2): RCMP Services
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.