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 44)

Thank you, and last question just so I get a better idea of the costs because it seems like this fence is the lynchpin, and once this goes then everything else starts. So I assume that because we're moving to a therapeutic model, we will need more staff that are trained, either psychologists, counsellors, and those type of individuals. So is there going to be an additional staff compliment that will also further increase these costs? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Thank you. Earlier, the Minister agreed to produce a detailed plan with timelines and present it publicly. Thank you. Mr. Thompson, nothing further?

Seeing nothing further, I will call this activity. Justice, corrections, infrastructure investments, $4 million. Does committee agree?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Thank you. Minister.

Member's Statement on Future of Consensus Government
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this week, I didn't know that today we would wind up at a pivotal point in this Assembly that may determine the future of our consensus style of government.

On one hand, the report of the Auditor General of Canada has presented us with concrete evidence of a significant and unacceptable failure on the part of the government, under the watch of, seemingly, the most competent Minister. We have also been faced with a shipping fiasco for which no one is taking responsibility. Further, the questioning of multiple Ministers this week has left many with the impression...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Thank you. Ms. Green.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Thank you. Ms. Green.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you. Minister.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you. Minister Moses.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to recognize a couple of board members of the NWT Disabilities Council from Hay River, Mr. Christopher Aitkens and Ms. Kim Tregidgo. Mr. Aitkens is also the president of the Hay River Soup Kitchen that the Premier mentioned earlier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.