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

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 68)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. I will open up the floor to general comments. Do we have general comments on the committee report? Seeing none, I will just let everyone know at home and in the Assembly that we are, as Mr. Testart said, going to have seven motions. The first would pertain to the recommendation on page 9. Mr. Testart.

Committee Motion 101-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Auditor General of Canada on Support to Communities for Municipal Services in the Northwest Territories – Municipal and Co
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 68)

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried. Thank you, committee.

---Carried

Mr. Testart.

Question 739-18(2): A New Day Program Request for Proposals
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 68)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll try this: can I get the Minister to commit to either reading the old and new RFP or getting a briefing on the new and old RFP so I can have an educated discussion with him about this at some point in the future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 68)

Thank you, committee. Does committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Committee Report 7-18(2)?

Committee Motion 101-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Auditor General of Canada on Support to Communities for Municipal Services in the Northwest Territories – Municipal and Co
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 68)

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor and an order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.

Question 739-18(2): A New Day Program Request for Proposals
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 68)

I’ll give a copy of my statements from the last two days to the Minister because I know about A New Day program as it stands now. We’re talking about a RFP that is for A New Day program that looks like a substantially different program. That’s the details I’m looking for. If the Minister heard my statement today, the new program isn’t based on the report. I’ve pointed out various aspects of it that doesn’t fly in the face of the report. Why can’t the Minister release these details that are going to be released at the meeting on Tuesday?

Member’s Statement on A New Day Program Request for Proposals
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, two days ago, the Department of Justice released a request for proposal for a revamped A New Day program. At least, that is what the title says. However, those familiar with the current A New Day program might only recognize it as a gutted and sterilized approximation of the program they know.

A New Day is the NWT’s only healing program for men who use violence in their relationships. It was developed after two years of research and investigation led by the Department of Justice, and included staff and leaders from Health and Social Services, the John Howard...

Motion to Amend Committee Motion 91-18(2), Defeated
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

We are going to take a brief recess.

---SHORT RECESS

Committee Motion 93-18(2): Committee Report 7-18(2), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Review of the Members’ Conduct Guidelines – Revision of Legislative Assembly Oath of Office, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

Thank you. Premier.

Committee Motion 90-18(2): Committee Report 7-18(2), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Review of the Members’ Conduct Guidelines – Amendment of Elections and Plebiscites Act to Provide Compliance with Code of Conduct, Carr
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 67)

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. To the motion? The question has been called. Mr. O'Reilly, would you conclude debate of the motion?