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 13)

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Thank you, Ms. Green. I will address that to the Minister of Finance. Minister McLeod.

Question137-18(3): Medical Travel Services in Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So just to clarify, there will be a person physically in Hay River who people can go and see about their medical travel issues? Because I know sometimes, you know, with elders, it can be a little difficult if they have to speak over the phone, or those kinds of things. So I just want to confirm there will be a person who people can go see in Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister.

Question137-18(3): Medical Travel Services in Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Not only is he addressing the issue; he is also creating a job in Hay River; well, I guess, a government job. He is taking one away, though, so I have to be careful what I say here. I appreciate that something is being done, but how can I assure my constituents that this change will actually result in an improvement in service delivery? Precisely why should we expect the Territorial Health and Social Services Authority to provide a better service than we are currently getting?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Thank you, Minister. Next, Mr. Thompson.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Minister.

Member's Statement on Medical Travel Issues
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I once again rise to speak about the quality of medical travel services received by residents of Hay River who are not covered by the GNWT's benefit plan. Spoiler alert, Mr. Speaker: the quality is poor.

I have addressed this issue with Member's statements and in question period. I have brought it up with the department during committee meetings. I have bombarded the Minister of Health's inbox, and I have discussed this issue with him over and over again. However, Mr. Speaker, the level of service has not improved.

Last time I brought this issue up in the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 13)

Thank you, Minister. Ms. Green.