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 15)

Thank you. Mr. Kalgutkar.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So 57 per cent of those who access training were from Yellowknife, where there are 51 per cent of the positions; 33 per cent came from the regional centres, where there are 32 per cent of the positions; and 10 per cent came from the small communities, where there are 17 per cent of the positions. So people from small communities are quite disadvantaged, especially.

Does the Minister know what type of training is accessed by people from the small communities, as to the regional centres? What I am getting at is that there's training that can sort of help you in your job, but...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you. Anything further, Mr. Testart?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly, Minister.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Question 154-18(3): Child and Youth Care Counsellors
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

I appreciate everything the Minister has said, and I thank him for his response. I guess the concern that was raised is, if students do go to see counsellors during class time, which is their right and I am glad they have that option, they will miss a class. With some of these courses, you have to be there every class to stay on track.

Will the department be doing anything to ensure that there are appropriate supports for students who maybe miss class to go to counselling? If you start falling behind in school, that just adds to your problems.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you. Mr. Testart. Nothing further from Mr. Testart. Any other comments or questions from committee? Mr. O'Reilly.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister.