Hay River's R.J. Simpson is the new premier of the N.W.T.
Liny Lamberink, Jenna Dulewich | CBC News | Posted: December 7, 2023 9:00 AM | Last Updated: December 8, 2023
Simpson and the new executive council will be sworn in on Friday
Hay River North MLA R.J. Simpson is the new premier of the N.W.T.
MLAs gathered in the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife Thursday to select the territory's next premier, Speaker and cabinet. The meeting follows the territory's general election on Nov. 14.
The morning started off with a surprise: in an emotional speech, Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson — who had earlier said he wanted to be premier — instead put his name forward for Speaker and removed himself as one of the four candidates for premier.
He won the Speaker job easily — no one else was nominated for the role.
That left MLAs with three options for premier: Simpson, Yellowknife South MLA Caroline Wawzonek, and Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart. Each candidate (including Thompson) had pitched their case last week for leading the territory, and on Thursday the remaining candidates fielded questions from the rest of the MLAs.
The questions covered a wide range of topics, such as their approach to the leadership role, how they'd worked with cabinet and regular MLAs, and how they'd tackle various issues the N.W.T. is facing. The questioning lasted roughly three hours.
MLAs then voted for premier using a secret ballot. After about fifteen minutes, Legislative Assembly clerk Glen Rutland announced another round of voting was needed, and that Wawzonek was removed from the ballot.
After the second round, Simpson was named premier.
Simpson breaks a short consecutive streak of N.W.T. premiers who come from Yellowknife. His leadership will mark a return to a convention suggesting premiers alternate between coming from Yellowknife and coming from other communities. The last two premiers — Caroline Cochrane and Bob McLeod — have both been from the city, and McLeod served two terms in a row.
At 1:30 p.m., candidates put their names forward to be part of the N.W.T.'s executive council. Rutland said the assembly would be following another long-held convention: that two members of cabinet would be from the southern regions, two from the northern regions, and two from Yellowknife.
MLAs Denny Rodgers, Lesa Semmler, Jane Weyallon Armstrong, Lucy Kuptana and Danny McNeely stepped forward as candidates from the northern regions while MLAs Vince McKay, Jay Macdonald and Richard Edjericon came forward as candidates from the southern regions. MLAs Caitlin Cleveland, Robert Hawkins, Shauna Morgan, Kieron Testart and Caroline Wawzonek were the candidates from Yellowknife.
After each one delivered a speech, members turned down their opportunity to ask questions of the candidates and voted to make Lucy Kuptana, Lesa Semmler, Jay Macdonald, Vince McKay, Caitlin Cleveland and Caroline Wawzonek members of the new executive council.
Simpson and the executive council will be sworn in on Friday.
According to a media statement from the Legislative Assembly's communications team, Simpson will decide the portfolios of the new executive council members at a later date.
Below, you'll find our live coverage of Thursday's territorial leadership committee meeting. Liny Lamberink provided updates from 11 a.m. until the end of the meeting, and Jenna Dulewich provided updates for the first two hours.
Read those below, from the newest to oldest.
3:56 p.m.: There is a reception scheduled to take place now. R.J. Simpson will be officially sworn in as N.W.T. premier tomorrow. The territorial leadership committee meeting is over now, as is our live coverage this afternoon. Thanks for reading.
3:54 p.m.: Here's your new executive council: Lucy Kuptana, Lesa Semmler, Jay Macdonald, Vince McKay, Caitlin Cleveland and Caroline Wawzonek.
3:21 p.m.: Members have decided to forgo questioning all of the cabinet candidates. Hallelujah. They are voting now.
3:15 p.m.: Caroline Wawzonek, the MLA for Yellowknife South, is speaking now: she believes there are ways to be more transparent, accountable, and to improve communications from the government. She says she's relied on MLA input for everything she has done as a minister in the 19th Legislative Assembly, and she promises to continue that if she returns to cabinet.
3:13 p.m. Kieron Testart, the MLA for Range Lake, kept things so short that I barely have any notes for him. He made a promise to require good reasons from departments for making decisions.
3:10 p.m.: Shauna Morgan, the MLA for Yellowknife North, is pitching her case for cabinet as a first time MLA. She says she moved to the city 15 years ago, where she feels more at home than anywhere else she's lived. After a brief stint with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, she began working as an independent consultant for Indigenous communities. "I am not the one with the loudest opinions," she said, but she "will try to understand the people around me and the complexity of the situations we're facing."
2:56 p.m.: Robert Hawkins, the MLA for Yellowknife Centre, is speaking now. He represented the district before, and said he's become "immensely wiser" in the past eight years. He tells MLAs they "won't get everything you want" but that with him as a minister, they "won't be alone." "I'll give you as much time and latitude, and certainly some experience and strength. Whatever I can offer."
2:55 p.m.: In case you didn't notice, we're getting into those Yellowknife candidates now, having covered cabinet candidates in the northern and southern regions.
2:50 p.m.: Caitlin Cleveland, the MLA for Kam Lake, is speaking now. "Wicked problems like to sink their teeth into the North differently," she says. Climate change is one of those problems. She says one of her strategies for dealing with this is building the N.W.T.'s resilience. She wants the N.W.T. to dream big, and believes optimism is necessary to overcoming adversity.
2:37 p.m.: Vince McKay, the MLA for Hay River South, decided to put his name forward for cabinet after realizing last night, while restlessly watching a hockey game, something was missing. Describing himself as a Métis man, McKay says he's spent 30 years in various emergency services roles and has "lots to offer" while reflecting on the wildfire season. He wants to "stimulate the economy from within" and wants to see a trauma-informed treatment centre.
2:35 p.m.: Jay Macdonald, the MLA for Thebacha, said he was born in the N.W.T. Describing himself as a northern Indigenous Métis man, Macdonald says his connection to the land and the N.W.T. stems from his relationship with his family. He's spent the last 13 years working with the Department of Environment and Climate Change, says he's worked in crisis management, and makes an "unwavering commitment to a collaborative approach to governance."
2:19 p.m.: Richard Edjericon, MLA for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh, is speaking now. He said elected officials have heard from voters that current relationships are not working, saying previous governments have promised change and progress but it hasn't worked. "This time we need to take a new approach," he said, to get projects over the finish line.
2:13 p.m.: Armstrong became an MLA in the 19th Legislative Assembly through a by-election. She says she had to learn quickly in those two years, and she advocated strongly for Tlicho constituents in that time. She says she prioritized building strong relationships with Indigenous communities, and can speak an Indigenous language.
2:09: Jane Weyallon Armstrong, the MLA for Monfwi, starts by talking about her parents and her traditional upbringing. "My family, like so many other families in the N.W.T, they worked hard to survive."
2:08 p.m.: Semmler says health and wellbeing are crucial to a healthy territory, with programs that are specific to the needs of each region. She says she'll incorporate cultural healing methods into the N.W.T.'s health systems. She also says she'll have an open door policy, encouraging dialogue with MLAs, if elected to the executive council.
2:03 p.m.: Semmler says one of her strengths is being a strong advocate, even when she's uncomfortable. She cites Inuvik's airport runway project as an example. "That was not my comfort zone but I was briefed, I was able to lead in this house on that topic."
1:59 p.m. Lesa Semmler, the MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes, starts out by talking about working as a nurse and the health files she worked on during her time in the 19th Legislative Assembly.
1:58 p.m.: "I think I have the experience, I certainly would enjoy the opportunity to sit with the leadership committee," says Rodgers. Everything he's accomplished in his life is based on his ability to create relationships out of mutual trust and respect, "and it's amazing what you can get when you start with that as your base."
1:53 p.m.: Denny Rodgers, the MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, is now speaking. He says he grew up on Canada's east coast, and at 18 moved to Cambridge Bay before pursuing education and then settling in Inuvik. He has a background in finance there, and has also spent eight years on Inuvik's council and three years as its mayor.
1:46 p.m.: "We can no longer sit idle, growing our economy is not sitting on capital," says McNeely. He wants to "release" many idle capital projects, like the Inuvik airport terminal, extended health care facilities, and the Colville Lake School. Also says he'll support economic development, including new emerging reclamation opportunities, and he wants a review of the 2014 devolution agreement.
1:44 p.m.: Danny McNeely is speaking now: "With my previous assembly experience, being a lifetime Indigenous northern resident, and my private sector experiences, I believe will contribute to being an effective cabinet minister."
1:40 p.m.: Lucy Kuptana is speaking now. She mentions various roles she's served in, including chair of the Arctic Inspiration Prize, the president of Inuvialuit Communications Society, and director of the Inuvik Community Corporation. She says her greatest roles however, are as a daughter, mother, and grandmother. She becomes emotional, and takes a pause. In a moment of humour, fellow MLAs give her tissues and she laughs, saying she's "stronger" than this.
1:38 p.m.: For the south, Vince McKay, Jay Macdonald and Richard Edjericon have put their names forward. I missed the candidates from Yellowknife, but we'll get that to you shortly.
1:36 p.m.: For the northern portion of the N.W.T., we have Denny Rodgers, Lesa Semmler, Jane Weyallon Armstrong, Lucy Kuptana and Danny McNeely. McNeely is the only MLA candidate not to ask the premier candidates a question.
1:34 p.m.: We're back at it. Six people are going to be voted to the executive council. Clerk Glen Rutland says it will follow the 2-2-2 system, meaning two members from the northern districts, two from the southern districts, and two from Yellowknife.
12:49 p.m.: The clerk adjourns the meeting until 1:30 p.m., when nominations for the executive council will begin. He reminds everyone that the unsuccessful premier candidates may put their names forward for the executive council. We'll be back at 1:30 with more updates.
12:48 p.m.: Hay River's R.J. Simpson is elected the N.W.T.'s new premier.
12:30 p.m.: Clerk Glen Rutland says there's a need for a second ballot for premier. Caroline Wawzonek is off the ballot: members will be voting for either Simpson or Testart.
12:18 p.m. Holding my breath, figuratively — not literally. Don't worry.
12:16 p.m.: The voting for premier happens by way of secret ballot. Here's some info about that. I believe we're waiting for a bell to be rung when the voting is over. I am holding my breath.
12:14 p.m.: Cleveland asks the last question of premier candidates before voting begins: whether they'll put their names forward for cabinet if they are not elected. All of the candidates say yes. The voting begins.
12:06 p.m.: Simpson said this is an example of an issue where he would turn to the Speaker, Thompson, recognizing his experience, and work together.
12:04 p.m.: Wawzonek says it's an issue that requires significant attention from the federal government, but the territorial government can do more to understand it as well. She elaborates a bit on the issue too, saying the federal government treats some small, traditional communities like other rural centres in Canada. It can affect disaster assistance funding they're eligible for, she said.
12:01 p.m.: Speaker Shane Thompson asks how candidates will address lack of federal funding to the N.W.T.'s nine designated authorities, four of which are in his riding. Testart talks about work that needs to be done first, and then changing the relationship with Ottawa around "these grey areas."
11:50 a.m.: Wawzonek uses the question to talk about attracting industrial consumers, who will need a lot of power and who will bring prices down for residents. Simpson and Testart bring it back to governance. Testart says putting public servants in charge doesn't change the fact NTPC is a public corporation and, he agrees, crown corporations aren't being governed right. He wants to see the board become public again.
11:49 a.m.: Candidates are now answering a question about governance at the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Jay MacDonald points out that the board of governors was replaced with deputy ministers a number of years ago, and he wants to see control back in the hands of the N.W.T.
11:38 a.m.: Testart mentions developing a department of public safety and emergency preparedness to address this kind of issue. Wawzonek said there are community policing priorities that, four years ago, were not that connected to communities. She wants to get communities involved in setting and achieving those priorities to become more safe.
11:37 a.m.: Simpson responding to a question about illegal activity in housing units, and making communities safe: "We're seeing more drugs in communities and more housing units as the base for selling those drugs," including in his own community, says Simpson. Wants to give RCMP more tools to address the issue, such as SCAN legislation.
11:35 a.m.: Testart says the territorial government needs to "get out of the way" of Indigenous governments trying to address housing issues.
11:30 a.m. Candidates are fielding a question about how to address the housing crisis. Wawzonek talks about removing barriers, making sure land is available to be built on, and giving Indigenous governments the responsibility they're asking for when it comes to the issue. Simpson begins by saying housing might become the top priority of the new assembly, and says there's a lot that can be done — but partnerships with Indigenous governments and municipalities will be necessary to make the work happen.
11:27 a.m.: Simpson says asking Ottawa for money was the first solution, and he says the territory should be investing in early learning and childcare, saying there is "no better investment."
11:25 a.m.: Wawzonek says there are two parts to the issue: the agreement, which "doesn't seem to be sufficient," but also immediate concerns as April 1, 2024, draws closer. She wants to make sure those issues are resolved.
11: 24 a.m.: "We can't just wait for Ottawa to open the chequebook," responds Testart, saying that the territory needs to provide funding until the bilateral agreement can be "fixed."
11:20 a.m.: Denny Rodgers articulates concerns about the state of childcare in the territory, and a bilateral agreement signed with the federal government. He asks if candidates are elected as premier, would they review that agreement and how would they ensure sustainable daycare?
11:15 a.m.: A second round of questions has started. CBC's Liny Lamberink is taking over the liveblog for now. By our count, Sahtu MLA Danny McNeely is the only MLA who has not yet asked a question of the three premier candidates. Other MLAs now have the opportunity to ask a second question.
10:55 a.m.: The first round of questions has concluded. MLAs are taking a short break.
10:53 a.m.: Testart says the message we should take from this is that there is a real human cost, and that is why it is so important to get it right. He says we know there isn't enough accountability and transparency, and asks whether we need to split the departments.
10:51 a.m.: Simpson says he agrees changes need to be made. The government has to take a critical look at what it is delivering and what isn't working. He says they also need to ensure that there is accountability, and when a resident brings forward a concern, there is someone to answer that concern.
10:50 a.m.: Wawzonek says almost one third of the territory's operating budget is going into health — we simply cannot continue on this path.
10:48 a.m.: Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson, the newly appointed Speaker, says we have problems with our health care and medical travel. In the last two months, he had a constituent pass away waiting for a medevac. He asks the premier hopefuls how they will fix this.
10:46 a.m.: Simpson says there are a number of things we can do. He says the N.W.T. government has had regional decision-making in the past. He points to areas like health programming as ones to focus on and says we need the ability to have localized services delivered in communities, and we also need to focus on capacity-building.
10:44 a.m.: Wawzonek says on the ground and to the front lines, we need to get to a place where we are offering person-centred services. The public should know what decisions can be made and the basis for those decisions.
10:42 a.m.: Testart says we need to solve this divide once and for all. He says regions need the autonomy to operate, and again suggests regional directors. He also says the government needs to re-look at the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, and give more power to regional operations.
10:41 a.m.: Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler raises concern about losing regional decision-making authority for the regions.
10:32 a.m.: Testart says we need to look at the tax system, and every Northerner needs a raise. He says the northern advantage has been eroded over the years and needs to come back to encourage more people to live here.
10:30 a.m.: Simpson says he would lobby the federal government to get rid of the carbon tax. He says he wants to see change to income assistance, for seniors and people with disabilities, and he thinks the territory needs to do a better job of providing access to child care. He says we also need to deal with the cost of housing and developing land.
10:28 a.m.: Wawzonek says the lack of transportation and energy infrastructure is part of what keeps the costs so high. She would review how to bring those costs down.
10:27 a.m.: Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins asks what the candidates would do to address increased cost of living and bring down costs for families trying to get by.
10:25 a.m.: Simpson says youth will find something to do, so we need to give them safe and healthy alternatives. He says he knows what it's like to grow up without a youth centre. One change the last government made was that every new school will be built with a gym, no matter how many students it has. He says they also need to make sure funding is accessible to non-government organizations.
10:23 a.m.: Wawzonek says the government needs to figure out where the funds would come from and how to integrate this issue with non-profits and cultural organizations working to deliver programming for youth.
10:21 a.m.: Testart says it's time to look at what funding is available. He says he's committed to closing the municipal funding gap. He also says that if the territory puts a new school or recreation centre in a community, it needs to make sure that's sustainable. He says it's important to listen to the needs of the communities and be there for them when they need help.
10:19 a.m.: Mackenzie Delta MLA George Nerysoo asks about youth and lack of available infrastructure. He says it's an issue we've struggled with for a long time and we need more culturally-based recreation programs in our communities. He asks how the candidates will help get infrastructure for youth into our communities.
10:10 a.m.: Testart says the review is important so the territory knows what worked and what didn't.
10:09 a.m.: Simpson says he is in support of an independent review. He says given the trauma from past wildfires, the public needs to feel the review is being taken seriously and will result in change.
10:07 a.m.: Wawzonek says the answer is, in some ways, easy — but the territory will probably face more events in the spring.
10:07 a.m.: Hay River South MLA Vince McKay asks if the candidates would support a third-party independent review of the wildfire response.
10:05 a.m.: Simpson says the premier carries out the will of the assembly. He hopes the assembly will prioritize this, and thinks they will. He says the territory has to focus on aftercare. He doesn't think the N.W.T. is in a position to create a clinical treatment centre, but could work with Indigenous governments on healing centres.
10:04 a.m.: Wawzonek says we are in crisis with respect to addictions. The government needs to properly engage and pool resources with Indigenous governments, and find a better path to safe housing.
10:01 a.m.: Testart says the N.W.T. has an addiction crisis that has been ongoing for some time. He wants to establish a working group to figure out why treatment centres have failed in the past. He wants to build on models like healing camps and wellness centres, but with clinical supports. He says the feds should foot the bill.
10:00 a.m.: Nunakput MLA Lucy Kuptana says she wants to talk about addictions. What would the premier do to ensure there is a proper treatment centre in the territory?
9:58 a.m.: Wawzonek says we need representation in every region, such as regional directors.
9:56 a.m.: Testart says he wants to see the next premier appoint regional directors, and he thinks the territory needs to regionalize its policies as well. He references the medical service in Fort Liard as one example.
9:55 a.m.: Simpson says we need to listen to people on the ground.
9:54 a.m.: Dehcho MLA Sheryl Yakeleya asks what the premier hopefuls will do to ensure their bureaucracy meaningfully engages with the people they serve.
9:52 a.m.: Testart says the issue is near and dear to his heart, as he was on the ground during the evacuation. He points to the incident command centre as something that needs to be a priority, but says we don't need to reinvent the wheel.
9:51 a.m.: Simpson says the leaders need to ensure plans are in place. There needs to be preparation in terms of who is staying and who is going — same with the health authority, which he says didn't happen. Everyone needs to know their role.
9:47 a.m.: Shauna Morgan, MLA for Yellowknife North, asks what the role of premier and cabinet should be during an emergency — referencing the wildfire evacuations this year. Wawzonek responds, saying the Emergency Management Organization structure is well defined. She said wants to see better connection and contact points.
9:45 a.m.: Simpson said working with Indigenous governments would be the cornerstone of his approach to premier. We have issues across the territory, we need to work with Indigenous governments in their regions, he said.
9:43 a.m.: Wawzonek responds, saying Indigenous governments have their own plans and priorities, and she suspects they're aligned with that of the territorial government. She said they should go to Ottawa together and align the asks where they are overlapping.
9:41 a.m.: Jane Weyallon Armstrong, the MLA for Monfwi, asks how premier candidates would advocate for the needs and priorities of Indigenous governments. Testart said that work starts at the Legislative Assembly, and going forward, there needs to be a check on the territorial government.
9:39 a.m.: Wawzonek described it as a situation that can't be allowed to continue. She said she shares her colleagues' view that there is a path forward, if the parties all come together. We need to sit down and have that opportunity, she said.
9:37 a.m.: Testart said he's committed to an apology, and that it is completely unacceptable how the investigation was handled.
9:36 a.m.: Simpson said it's clear moving forward that that relationship needs to be repaired. He said the premier should go to Łutselk'e and sit with the people and elders, and that would be one of the first things he would do.
9:34: a.m.: Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon asks about the raid of camp on Artillery Lake last September. He said Łutsel K'e Dene First Nation and its chief continues to ask for an apology. Would the premier stand up and apologize, if they are elected?
9:32 a.m.: Testart said sole-sourcing opportunities for Indigenous governments is a high priority for them. He also wants to prioritize closing the funding gap. We have to build our territory together as one, he says.
9:30 a.m.: Simpson said he's pushed to keep dollars in the territory. In the last government, 75 per cent of contract dollars stayed in the territory, he said, and we need to stay on that path. Simpson said when policies and legislation are developed, they need to serve the people in the N.W.T.
9:27 a.m.: Denny Rodgers, MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, asks premier candidates about their commitment to working where possible with local and Indigenous governments to make sure work is done in the regions, by the regions. Wawzonek responds first, saying the procurement process needs to be more accessible so people and local governments know what projects are coming down the pipes.
9:25 a.m.: Simpson responds: he said he's had a number of initiatives where he's pledged to work with Indigenous governments on, for example the Education Act. References working with the Tlicho and the band in Colville Lake with their schools.
9:23 a.m.: Wawzonek responds, saying she's proud to say she's come to know many Indigenous leaders. It's why she waited to put her name forward. She said she doesn't want to leverage those relationships, but to work as partners.
Say there needs to be more engagement from premier's office for land claims, we take too much of a hands-off view.
9:20 a.m.: The next question comes from Thebacha MLA Jay Macdonald: how would candidates advance and leverage relationships with Indigenous governments focusing on settling land claims. Testart is the first to answer — said he learned first-hand of unsettled claims, and commits to having new negotiation mandates within a year. He also commits to working collaboratively with Indigenous governments.
9:19 a.m.: Caroline Wawzonek said a lot of solutions already exist: there are employee satisfaction surveys, and she says she personally read a lot of those surveys. She said they need to be ready in every department.
9:15 a.m.: Kieron Testart responding now. He says employees need to feel heard and like they are part of the process moving forward. He mentions a need for more regional autonomy, and said he wants to take a look at the code of conduct, which he thinks is too restrictive.
9:14 a.m.: MLAs are now asking questions of premier candidates. The candidates have two minutes to answer each question. The first comes from Kate Reid, the MLA for Great Slave. She asks R.J. Simpson how he'll prioritize a healthy work environment. Simpson says it's all about relationships, that you need positive relationships to get things done, and that there's always a way to find an agreement and common ground.
9:10 a.m.: Shane Thompson is elected as the 20th Legislative Assembly's Speaker. He's wiping tears from his eyes during a huge round of applause from the floor.
9:08 a.m.: Thompson says people have encouraged him to run for Speaker, and that he understands what it's like to be on both sides. There are no other nominations for the role.
9:07 a.m.: Shane Thompson rises as a candidate for Speaker, and says he is withdrawing his name for premier. He is emotional during his speech, and says he didn't get much sleep last night.
9:05 a.m.: Here's a rough agenda for today: The Speaker will be chosen between 9-9:30 a.m., the premier will be selected between 10 a.m. -12 p.m., and the selection of the executive council will begin at 1 p.m. There will be a reception at 4 p.m.
9:03 a.m.: The meeting begins with a prayer.