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, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, committee. I understand that the Premier had some opening comments. Premier McLeod.

Committee Motion 116-18(2): Addition of Text Regarding Making Childcare Accessible and Affordable, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

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

Committee Motion 113-18(2): Tabled Document 419-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Addition of Text Regarding the Knowledge Economy, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

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

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

Thank you, committee. We will consider the documents after a brief recess.

---SHORT RECESS

Committee Motion 116-18(2): Addition of Text Regarding Making Childcare Accessible and Affordable, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

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

Committee Motion 113-18(2): Tabled Document 419-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Addition of Text Regarding the Knowledge Economy, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Ms. Green. Next, Mr. Testart.

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

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

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

All opposed, please stand. All abstaining, please stand. Thank you, committee. The results of the recorded vote are: 17 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstentions. The motion is carried.

---Carried

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

There are no further general comments. We can consider any motions that there may be on the floor. Ms. Green.

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...