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

Hay River North

Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box

1320

Email

Email

Phone

Extension

11120

Constituency Office

62, promenade Woodland, bureau 104
Hay River Nord NT X0E 1G1
Canada

Phone

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 October 18, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

I now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we have agreed to begin our consideration of Tabled Document 1-18(3) Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2017-2018. I will turn to the Minister of Finance for any opening remarks. Minister McLeod.

Debates of October 18, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Debates of October 18, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Committee Motion 1-18(3): Concurrence of Tabled Document 1-18(3): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2017-2018, Carried

Debates of October 18, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witnesses from the Chamber. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is being distributed. The motion is in order. To the motion. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Mr. Testart.

Debates of October 18, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

Debates of October 18, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 2)

Thank you. Minister.

Question 7-18(3): Temporary General Identification Cards

Debates of October 17, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This has been an ongoing issue. I know the Minister is aware of it because I have brought it up to him. I believe that the Department of Health and Elections Canada have also expressed concerns about the lack of accessible ID in the territory. Is there any collaboration with any other departments or levels of government to get this off the ground? Thank you.

Question 7-18(3): Temporary General Identification Cards

Debates of October 17, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

The technology to print hard plastic licences must be cheap enough now that we can have these done in the regional centres. I am sure I could buy one off Amazon and start printing licences in my house if I wanted to. I wouldn't.

If we cannot print the temporary GICs because the paper is driver's licence paper only, are we going to start printing hard plastic permanent driver's licences and GICs in regional centres so that we do not have to wait for weeks while the application is sent to Inuvik, and then the card is shipped back?

Member's Statement on Mid-Term Review Outcomes and Next Steps

Debates of October 17, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1997, the Legislative Assembly held a mid-term review, and it wasn't until every single Member who was involved in that process finally left office 18 years later that another mid-term review was held. I don't think that was a coincidence. This Assembly held a mid-term review 12 days ago, and I have a feeling that, until all 19 of us are gone, there won't be another. Regardless, the review is now behind us.

Mr. Sebert received a vote of non-confidence, and we must decide how to move forward. In the system of government based on political parties, a non...

Question 7-18(3): Temporary General Identification Cards

Debates of October 17, 2017 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

There is a lot of information there. I think I heard that something is rolling out over the next three years where the department will be able to begin printing at least the temporary GICs, and from there, they will see. I just want to confirm: when can we expect temporary GICs to be issued in regional centres?