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

Question 48-18(3): Commercial Fisheries Revitalization Strategy
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Still just a lot of looking at things, it sounds like, so, while the department is looking at things, I know the fishermen have been fishing, so can the Minister give us an update about how much production has been on the lake, what percentage of the quota or how many pounds have been taken off the lake this year?

Committee Motion 23-18(3): Committee Report 2-18(3): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2015-2016 Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories - Amend Non-Consolidated Schedule to Protect the
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.

Committee Motion 25-18(3): Committee Report 3-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Motion 32-18(2): Referral of Petition 6-18(2): Elimination of Time Change in the Northwest Territories to the Standing Committee on Social Develo
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

Thank you, committee. We have now concluded consideration of Committee Report 3-18(3), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Motion 32-18(2), Referral of Petition 6-18(2), Elimination of Time Change in the Northwest Territories to the Standing Committee on Social Development. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Question 48-18(3): Commercial Fisheries Revitalization Strategy
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

So it looks like it will be operational summer 2019, from what the Minister has stated. Will we be able to do both primary and secondary processing in the new fish plant?

Committee Motion 22-18(3): Committee Report 2-18(3): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2015-2016 Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories - Development of Public Accounts Summary, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Committee Motion 25-18(3): Committee Report 3-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Motion 32-18(2): Referral of Petition 6-18(2): Elimination of Time Change in the Northwest Territories to the Standing Committee on Social Develo
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. To the motion.

Question 38-18(3): Commercial Fishery in Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is going to be a GNWT-owned facility where the fishing strategy called for a contribution to the fishermen's federation and they would own this plant. I would like to know: what is the extent of partnerships with other organizations going forward, organizations such as the Fishermen's Federation in terms of the ownership and operation of this plant? Thank you.

Committee Motion 22-18(3): Committee Report 2-18(3): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2015-2016 Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories - Development of Public Accounts Summary, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. To the motion. Ms. Green.

Committee Motion 25-18(3): Committee Report 3-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Motion 32-18(2): Referral of Petition 6-18(2): Elimination of Time Change in the Northwest Territories to the Standing Committee on Social Develo
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion. Mr. Nakimayak.

Question 38-18(3): Commercial Fishery in Hay River
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 4)

That is an important report moving forward. We just approved a million four for the fish plants in Hay River. Is the Minister going to make that report public so that we can see what is in it?