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

Bill 79: An Act to Amend the Judicature Act
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 151)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 79, An Act to Amend the Judicature Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 406-19(2): Bill 73: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 4 – Amend Clause 2, Defeated
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 151)

Thank you, Madam Chair. And earlier I said that, you know, we have an independent commission to deal with our renumeration because nobody wants politicians deciding how much they're going to make. But as my own Industry, Tourism and Investment, I see what inflation is these days, and even though this bill is not proposing that we have an increase according to inflation this year, I think that in solidarity with the people who are struggling financially, that I am going to support this motion. And I will say I am supporting this as MLA. This is not a position of the government. So this is not...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 151)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee also wishes to consider Bill 60.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 151)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Pat Burnstad, the vice president the NWT Seniors Society, a constitutent of mine and I would say a pillar of the community. Thank you.

Bill 63: An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 151)

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 63, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act, be read for the third time. And Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 151)

Thank you, Madam Chair. So there is actually an independent commission to review Members' compensation and benefits. It is required to be established under the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. It's appointed with individuals who are independent, neutral, and knowledgeable according to the legislation, and that commission is supposed to review and make recommendations about Members' compensation. That's because nobody wants politicians deciding what they get paid. This bill is to adjust the indemnities and allowances for Members. So despite the fact that this Act contains a...

Committee Motion 383-19(2): Committee Report 43-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Bill 63: An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act – Indigenous Languages Legislative Changes, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you. I have with me John MacDonald, deputy minister of Education, Culture and Employment. And Laura Jeffrey, legal counsel with the Department of Justice.

Committee Motion 383-19(2): Committee Report 43-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Bill 63: An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act – Indigenous Languages Legislative Changes, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am here today to present Bill 63, An Act to Amend the Official Languages Act. The Official Languages Act of the Northwest Territories seeks to recognize, preserve, and enhance the use of Indigenous languages in the NWT, along with the two official languages of Canada. To do so, the act designates Chipewyan, Cree, English, French, Gwich'in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey, and Tlicho as official languages in the NWT. The act requires a review of the provisions and operation of the act to be conducted by the Legislative Assembly or a...

Bill 82: Legal Profession Act
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, I will present Bill 82, Legal Profession Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you.

Tabled Document 895-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 1423-19(2): Nunakput Court Travel
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 150)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Followup Letter for Oral Question 142319(2), Nunakput Court Travel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.