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

Committee Motion 30-18(3): Committee Report 4-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Adult Residential Addictions Treatment Facilities Tour 2017 - Enhancement of Public Communications on Addictions Treatment, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

Thank you. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is being distributed. Minister Abernethy.

Question 228-18(3): Environmental Assessments on Land Owned by Northern Transportation Company Limited
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

I am glad that those are the sites they are looking at first. That is some prime real estate. It is beautiful down there in Old Town, especially right on the channel. Based on the initial findings, I know it is not complete and they don't have the final report. Does the department have an estimate, even a ballpark figure, for what it might cost to remediate these sites?

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

The results of the recorded vote: six in favour, zero opposed, seven abstentions. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Blake.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

Thank you. Mr. Testart, would you care for the Minister to respond as well? It is your 10 minutes.

Question 228-18(3): Environmental Assessments on Land Owned by Northern Transportation Company Limited
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2016 the Government of the Northwest Territories purchased NTCL and all the lands that came with it. There are substantial tracts of lands in Hay River that came with that purchase. We have had questions in this House about what is going to happen with those lands. Last I heard, there were environmental assessments happening on some of the prioritized sites. I would like an update from the Minister of Infrastructure on what environmental assessments have been done and on which former NTCL lands, particularly in Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

Question has been called. The Member has requested a recorded vote. All those in flavour, please rise.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

Thank you. Do any committee members wish to comment? Mr. Thompson.

Committee Motion 32-18(3): Committee Report 4-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Adult Residential Addictions Treatment Facilities Tour 2017 - Pilot Program for Post-Treatment Housing, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

Of course. Thank you Ms. Green. To the motion. Minister Abernethy.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. Testart, I hope that answered your answer, as it used up the bulk of your time. The Minister would also like to comment. Minister Abernethy.

Committee Motion 32-18(3): Committee Report 4-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Adult Residential Addictions Treatment Facilities Tour 2017 - Pilot Program for Post-Treatment Housing, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 23)

Thank you, Ms. Green. There is a motion on the floor. To the motion. Ms. Green.