Caroline Wawzonek

Députée de Yellowknife Sud

Circonscription électorale de Yellowknife Sud 

Caroline Wawzonek a été élue pour la première fois à la 19e Assemblée législative en 2019, comme représentante de Yellowknife Sud. Elle a été ministre de la Justice, ministre des Finances, ministre responsable de la condition de la femme, et ministre de l’Industrie, du Tourisme et de l’Investissement. En 2023, Mme Wawzonek a été élue par acclamation à la 20e Assemblée législative et a réintégré le Conseil exécutif en tant que première ministre adjointe, ministre des Finances, ministre de l’Infrastructure et ministre responsable de la Société d’énergie des TNO.

Mme Wawzonek a obtenu un baccalauréat ès arts de l’Université de Calgary en 2000 et un diplôme en droit de la faculté de droit de l’Université de Toronto en 2005. Son parcours universitaire comprend des études de langues en Chine et à Taïwan, ainsi que des stages de droit aux Philippines et en Angleterre. Mme Wawzonek est née à Calgary (Alberta) et habite Yellowknife depuis 2007.

Une fois admise au Barreau des TNO, Mme Wawzonek a mis sur pied sa propre pratique du droit pénal et a plaidé à tous les échelons du système judiciaire des Territoires du Nord-Ouest, et s’est souvent déplacée dans les collectivités ténoises à cet effet. Elle a ensuite intégré le cabinet d’avocats Dragon Toner, élargissant sa pratique au litige général et au droit administratif jusqu’à ce qu’elle devienne députée de la 19e Assemblée.

Depuis 2007, Mme Wawzonek a assumé de nombreux rôles de leadership au sein de la communauté juridique : elle a notamment été présidente du Barreau des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et présidente de section pour la division des Territoires du Nord-Ouest de l’Association du Barreau canadien, et a participé à divers groupes de travail. Son engagement envers la collectivité l’a amenée à œuvrer dans de multiples organisations de Yellowknife et, en 2017, elle a reçu un prix national soulignant le travail de femmes canadiennes œuvrant dans le domaine du droit.

Mère de deux enfants, Caroline Wawzonek aime courir, faire de la planche à pagaie et passer du temps à l’extérieur.

Committees

Yellowknife Sud
Bureau

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Boîte
1320
Extension
12177
Vice-premier ministre, Ministère des finances, Ministre de l'Infrastructure, Ministre responsable de la Société d'énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Mobile
Ministre

Déclarations dans les débats

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

I can certainly provide the expected schedule of having two departments go through the process over time, and we're looking in general to maintain one larger department and one smaller department going through the process. The reason for that is: Essentially, it's internal capacity. The certified evaluators that we have, the financial analysts that we have, and individual departments, it is quite a lot of work for them, and we're trying to do this by funding internally as much as possible using different types of techniques. Trying to manage doing it quickly, but still doing it in a way that...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

These are really the kinds of questions that need to be asked, as we are right now engaging, as the Premier described yesterday, in putting together a COVID relief plan. These are exactly the kinds of questions to be asked. I am happy to answer them. That said, some of the materials put out today in conjunction with the budget recognize and reflect that the recovery already has been uneven. Some sectors and industries have recovered, and some sectors and industries simply have not experienced the impacts to the same degree as others. We want to be able to leverage the resources that we have...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

This actually involves more than just one department. The funding to airlines alone has been into the $20 million range on behalf of the GNWT. As well, of course, there are a variety of other programs. There are projections of what we expect to spend, and then, there are also actuals. I want to commit to getting a more specific number back to the Member because, even as I'm sitting here, I imagine it comes as no surprise departments quickly try their best to do the math as I'm sitting and waiting for an answer to come in.

The simple fact is, we are into the millions of dollars in different...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Mr. Speaker, approximately one year ago, I stood in this Assembly and introduced Budget 2020 as part of a journey. I described it as a foundation from which we could build a positive fiscal path forward towards long-term economic growth and stability. There were already negative economic indicators, but I said that we should not describe our circumstances as a crisis. I said that I was cautiously optimistic that achieving our priorities and building from a solid foundation was possible with discipline and planning.

At the time of tabling Budget 2020, I did not predict that last year's budget...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: "Main Estimates 2021-2022." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 157-19(2): Domestic Violence Leave." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

A consolidated list was provided back in August, and in fact, I believe it may have been tabled in this House, detailing the outstanding payments that were known at the time aside from royalties. Royalties are governed by a separate regulatory regime and are not made public independent of collective royalties. However, I can also update that, as of January, another list was sent, I believe, in this case, to committee, if not at least to the MLA directly, and it does detail property taxes, fuel taxes, various boiler registrations, some airport lease payments, mining survey costs, environmental...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will deliver the budget address on Thursday, February 4, 2021. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

To the extent that there may have been ongoing negotiations with the private parties or private entities, I am not privy, nor is the government privy, to their specific negotiations. I certainly can say that, with respect to the outstanding payments that the GNWT is owed, that those payments or any payments owing do have to be made in order for the matter to proceed. Indeed, that includes a full transfer of the securities.

Mr. Speaker, we are very alive to the fact that there is a number of NWT businesses which are owed money, of course, in this process. It is a process that is monitored by the...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, there have been no concessions or debt write-offs. All outstanding payments are not being forgiven, and indeed, we continue to hold all of the securities as we did prior to the sale. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.