R.J. Simpson

Member Hay River North

Premier
Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs

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

R.J. Simpson
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 74)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 74)

Thank you, committee.

---Clauses 11 through 17 inclusive, approved.

Question 721-18(3): Recruitment of Physicians in Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the thorough response. If this type of model is implemented, will there need to be staffing changes, like a reduction of staff? A change in staff? New positions? Can the Minister elaborate on that?

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 74)

All those opposed, please rise.

Question 721-18(3): Recruitment of Physicians in Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 74)

As I mentioned, we have a budget for five physicians in Hay River. Maybe we need six. Maybe we need seven, but we are probably never going to get there. Our healthcare system seems to rely on that model, the one that is heavily dependent on physicians. Are there any systematic changes that are being implemented to improve patient care, in light of the fact that it is so difficult to get full-time physicians?

Committee Motion 118-18(3), Defeated
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. I will now allow the mover of the motion to close debate. Mr. Testart.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge someone joining us all the way from beautiful Vale Island in Hay River, my spouse and constituent, Ms. Chantelle Lafferty.

Committee Motion 118-18(3), Defeated
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 74)

Thank you. To the motion. Minister McLeod.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Further? Seeing no further general comments, we will proceed to a clausebyclause review of the bill. We will defer the bill number and title until after consideration of the clauses. I believe there are 18 clauses, so we can take them one at a time. Committee, please turn to page 1 of the bill. I will call out each clause. If the committee agrees, please respond as such.

Clauses 1 through 9 inclusive, approved.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 73)

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