Premier RJ Simpson delivers first territorial address

In a Tuesday territorial address billed as a first for the Northwest Territories, Premier RJ Simpson highlighted work his cabinet has made in the past year to advance its mandate.

Flanked by ministers and banners promoting the six themes in the NWT government’s 2023-27 mandate, RJ Simpson delivered his speech in the Great Hall of the legislature building in Yellowknife.

He set out progress the NWT government has made since being elected in key areas such as housing, healthcare and public safety, and praised the work of his fellow ministers.

“Just over a year ago, I stood up in front of my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly and shared my vision for the Northwest Territories 50 years into the future,” he said.

“Over the past year, everything I’ve seen, heard and experienced has convinced me that this vision isn’t just possible, it is our future and we’re on track to achieve it.”

He added that with their “rookie year” behind them, cabinet would “be even more effective in the year ahead.”

Lifting the veil

Legislature staff said Tuesday was the first time an NWT premier has given an annual address directly to the public. Previous premiers have made statements on mandate progress to MLAs in the legislature.

Simpson said it was a chance to shed light on how the territory is governed.

“I think it’s important to lift the veil on government and talk about what we actually do,” Simpson told Cabin Radio. “The government does a lot of good things but we have a hard time conveying that to the public.”

The speech – which was streamed live on Facebook – is part of an approach to civic engagement that has seen Simpson make appearances on podcasts and national news programs, write opinion columns for newspapers, and increase his presence on social media.

“I think about how do people consume information, how do I consume information? I listen to podcasts, I watch the news, scroll on Instagram,” he said. “So that’s what we wanted to do is actually put ourselves out there in a way that people are going to consume us, so they don’t have to go searching for it.”

Simpson said he hopes the territorial address will reach residents who don’t watch the legislature or follow territorial politics in the news.

“I find that if I want to convey information, if I want to get a message out, we have to keep hammering it home,” he said. “So these are all things that I’ve said before but they’re all important things.”

‘We must adapt’

Attendees at Wednesday’s speech included reporters, regular MLAs, Indigenous and community leaders, and territorial bureaucrats and staff.

While there was little new in the address for those who do follow the legislature, Simpson did speak about the impending trade war between the US and Canada. Potential US tariffs, which were recently paused for 30 days, are expected to make life more expensive in the NWT if imposed.

“What comes next is uncertain but one thing is clear, the traditional political order where sovereignty is respected and negotiations take precedence over coercion is shifting. We must adapt,” Simpson said.

Given the pause on tariff implementation, the premier said the NWT government is holding off on plans to halt the procurement of American products but remains “prepared to act if necessary.”

Next week, Simpson said he will travel to Washington DC alongside Canada’s other premiers “to educate American decision-makers on the importance of a strong and stable Canada-US relationship.”

More broadly, Simpson said the conflict underscores Canada’s over-reliance on the US.

He encouraged residents and businesses to “buy Canadian wherever possible” and for Canadian tourists to explore the “unparalleled” vastness and beauty of the NWT. He said the territory is leading the charge when it comes to reducing barriers to internal trade and playing an “outsized role” on the national stage.

“There have been few opportunities in our country’s history where the political will existed to get this done. Now we have that opportunity and, with the NWT playing a pivotal role, we intend to move this work forward,” he said.

“The renewed focus on sovereignty, security and supply chains has put the NWT at the centre of Canada’s strategic future.”

Legislature to reconvene

In his half-hour speech, Simpson highlighted collaboration with Indigenous governments, which he had pledged would be a cornerstone of the 20th Legislative Assembly.

He pointed to the NWT Council of Leaders meeting with federal ministers in Ottawa and the signing of the $375-million Our Land for the Future Agreement, which he called one of the highlights of his political career.

Simpson said he plans to deliver a territorial address annually prior to the first sitting of each new year.

The legislature will sit for the first time in 2025 on Wednesday afternoon.

The finance minister is expected to table the NWT’s newest operating budget during Thursday’s sitting.

“It’s going to be a busy session,” Simpson said.

“We have a budget that we are bringing forward, I’m sure there’ll be debates about the Indigenous Employment Policy and we have a number of pieces of legislation – about six or seven pieces of legislation – we hope to introduce as well.”