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 936-18(2): Support for Northern Agricultural Sector
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Speaking of the strategy, many of the recommendations in the agricultural strategy relate to training, specifically during the community consultations it came to light that communities outside of the regional centres support train the trainer approach and a focus on experiential learning so that they can gain and develop agricultural skills within the community.

NFTI has been successful in providing both of these. He had residents or regularly denied funding to attend NFTI in favour of brief community-based workshops which offer no real experiential learning and which are no match for spending...

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Ms. Green. To the motion.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Next, Mr. Nakimayak.

Question 936-18(2): Support for Northern Agricultural Sector
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my statement earlier today, I brought up several issues that relate to our fledging agriculture sector. My first question is about lands. I’m aware that access to agricultural land is an issue for the Department of Lands but the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment has the agricultural file. I wanted to both pass on the message that the farmers who are actually putting in the sweat equity to get this industry off the ground are frustrated with a lack of support they’re receiving when it comes to accessing land. I want to ask the Minister: what is he doing to...

Committee Motion 115-18(2): Tabled Document 419-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Addition of Text Regarding Northern Solutions for Housing, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Next I have Mr. McNeely.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Mr. Speaker, you committee has been considering Tabled Document 419-18(2) Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories; and Committee Report 12-18(2), Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning Report on the Progress Review of the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019. I would like to report progress with five motions being adopted, and that Tabled Document 419-18(2) and Committee Report 12-18(2) are concluded. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Committee Motion 115-18(2): Tabled Document 419-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Addition of Text Regarding Northern Solutions for Housing, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Ms. Green. There is a motion on the floor. It has been distributed. The motion is in order. To the motion. Ms. Green.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Next, Mr. Nadli.

Committee Motion 117-18(2): Replacement of Text Regarding Working Collaboratively to Reduce Poverty, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, committee. Tabled Document 419-18(2) and Committee Report 12-18(2) are concluded. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.