Rocky "R.J." Simpson (born September 27, 1980) is a Canadian politician, the 14th and current premier of the Northwest Territories since December 2023.[1] He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in the 2015 election.[2] He represents the electoral district of Hay River North.

R. J. Simpson
14th Premier of the Northwest Territories
Assumed office
December 8, 2023
CommissionerMargaret Thom
Gerald Kisoun
Preceded byCaroline Cochrane
Member of the Executive Council of the Northwest Territories
Assumed office
October 24, 2019
Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
Assumed office
November 23, 2015
Preceded byRobert Bouchard
ConstituencyHay River North
Personal details
Political partynon-partisan
consensus government

He was returned to office in the 2019 Northwest Territories general election by acclamation, as no candidates filed to run against him by the close of nominations.[3] Before the election, he announced that he would put his name forward for Premier of the Northwest Territories when the newly elected MLAs met to select the premier and cabinet.[4] Simpson was elected to Premier Caroline Cochrane's cabinet committee by the new territorial MLAs on October 24, 2019.[5] His cabinet portfolio includes Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Minister Responsible for the Public Utilities Board, and Government House Leader.[6]

RJ Simpson's father, Rocky Simpson, was also elected to the 19th Assembly as representative for Hay River South.[7]

Election results

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2023 Northwest Territories general election: Hay River North
Candidate Votes %
R. J. Simpson (I.C.) 398 65.57
Michael Wallington 109 17.96
Hans Wiedemann 85 14.00
Greg McMeekin 15 2.47
Total votes 607
2019 Northwest Territories general election: Hay River North
Candidate Votes
R. J. Simpson Acclaimed
Source(s)
"Eight ridings to watch in the Northwest Territories' election". CBC. Retrieved 2019-09-11.
2015 Northwest Territories general election: Hay River North
Candidate Votes %
R. J. Simpson 375 52.7
Robert Bouchard 252 35.4
Karen Felker 84 11.8

References

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