Whether on the campaign trail or in office, newly elected premier of the Northwest Territories got a lot out of his U of A Faculty of Law education

Newly elected premier of the Northwest Territories R.J. Simpson wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his degree from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law when he finished law school. But he said that he still uses the knowledge, skills and experience he gained at the Faculty of Law, and they helped him reach his goals. 

“I could tell the education I was going to receive in law school was going to be valuable and I still use those skills every single day,” he said. 

Simpson took the reins of the territory’s government late last year. His political career began in 2015 when he won the riding of Hay River North. During this time, he took on many vital positions, including Deputy Speaker. 

Simpson ran for premier in 2019, however now-former Premier Caroline Cochrane won the position. Simpson held high-profile positions in the Cochrane government serving as Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Minister of Justice and the Government House Leader.

In 2023, Cochrane announced she would not run for re-election. Northwest Territories’ government has a consensus system, which has no political parties. Rather, the elected members vote a member from the legislature into the position of premier. When the dust settled in that year’s election, Simpson won the most votes from his fellow MLAs. 

“It was definitely exciting, but it was also humbling,” he said of the win.

Before entering politics, Simpson had a lengthy work and education history. Born in Hay River, he moved to Calgary and began studying at Mount Royal University before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at MacEwan University. After that, in 2011, he began studying at the U of A’s Faculty of Law. 

As a student, Simpson was a member of the Aboriginal Law Students’ Association (ASLA) — now the Indigenous Law Students’ Association — between 2011 and 2013 and served as the president of the group in the 2013/14 academic year. As president, he organized the 2014 Aboriginal Law Speaker Series: Aboriginals and the Criminal Justice System and a trip for members of the association to meet with practicing Indigenous lawyers in Maskwacis, Alberta. 

Other former ALSA members have also become part of the Northwest Territories’ government. As Premier and Minister of Justice, Simpson’s two deputy ministers, Martin Goldney and Charlene Doolittle, are past members of the group. Goldney, ‘00 LLB, — who was previously Secretary to the Cabinet — served as ALSA president while Doolittle, ‘98 LLB, served as vice president of the student group. 

During this time, he worked numerous jobs, including in the construction and hospitality industries. He recalled that one of his most helpful jobs for his political career was selling jeans at a small boutique store. “That really teaches you how to talk to and understand people,” he said. 

After graduation

Simpson started his law degree not necessarily wanting to be a lawyer, he said. He was not exactly sure where the degree would take him, but he knew the practical skills he would learn there would be of value. 

After graduating in 2014, he spent a year away from law, looking to “do something different” before articling and working with his father’s business back in the Northwest Territories. In 2015, he interviewed for an articling position with the territory’s Department of Justice. However, he decided to seek election instead and take the articling position if he didn’t win what would become his seat. 

Now, when Simpson looks back at his education, he recalls the skills he learned and the culture at the Faculty of Law. “The people that you go to school with, they’re all very accomplished, very driven. It pushes you to try harder, to work harder,” he said. “That was really impactful.”

His education also taught him critical thinking, research skills, and how to read and understand legislation and constitutional law, he said. In all, it helped open a lot of doors for him, and helped him succeed on the campaign trail and in office, he said. 

“If I didn't have that background I would have a completely different perspective on this role and government so it really helped create a foundation for my career,” he said. 

“I don’t think I would be here if not for the skills I gained at law school.”