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

Question 516-18(3): Marine Transportation Services
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some questions about Bob's Navy that will be directing to the Vice Admiral of Infrastructure. I'm talking, of course, about the Marine Transportation Services, and I have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. When Cabinet purchased NTCL, they purchased a lot of decommissioned vessels, barges and tugs. It is my understanding that disposal of those units has begun. Is that correct? I'll just start with that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement on Emerging Leaders for the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the things that being a Member of this Legislative Assembly has taught me is that I am an optimist; and honestly, I don't think I could do this job if I wasn't.

Just look at the state of our territory. Government labour relations are at an all-time low. The impending closure of all the diamond mines is going to do to Yellowknife what the fall of the oil and gas industry did to the communities up and down the valley. It is getting harder for small businesses to make it in the NWT, and they are increasingly becoming convinced that this government is...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 49)

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Minister's Statement 131-18(3), February 2019 Sessional Statement, and would like to report progress. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 49)

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

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion to report progress. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will rise and report progress.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 49)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent who has joined us in the gallery today. She is here as a chaperone for the Pages from the Deh Cho. She is a generous volunteer, a beloved teacher, and my aunt, Ms. June Simpson. Welcome.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 48)

Thank you, committee. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 48)

Thank you, committee. We have agreed to consider Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process. I will open up the floor to comments. Seeing none, does committee agree this concludes our consideration of Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 48)

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

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 48)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will rise and report progress.