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 12)

The training and the guidelines, resource materials for all the different departments, that is either has been or is being developed right now, with some training due to begin, I understand, in April. As to the specific training schedule, of which departments, I don't know that offhand. I will commit to providing that to the Member as I can identify it. I can say that, certainly, reducing the fees has been a priority, and ensuring that movement to provide better access to information, there is one area of documents that will be identified, so they can be available without having to go through...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. What I might personally feel or believe is not what should win the day, it's what's best for the Department of Justice, acting as one of the departments in the GNWT.

Mr. Chair, there are three large correctional facilities that ultimately wind up fulfilling the majority of the human resources components. One is here in Yellowknife, one is in Hay River, and one is in Fort Smith. That's the largest component of human resources within the Department of Justice. The other large component is the legal division, which includes a large staffing component that is here in...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

Mr. Chair, in referencing the reality in terms of looking at actuals and main estimates, just that there is a significant difference between what's being budgeted and what's actually being spent. Mr. Chair, the Member references trends over time. Let me look into that and see if there is a trend over time that I can produce and, if we can, that we can provide. The commitment is to at least look into it first and then determine whether or not it can be provided or when. Thank you.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In 2018-2019, there were 39 registrations and eight individuals shown as having completed. Thank you.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Any individuals who are coming into the facility have access to a variety of GNWT training programs. If there are specific individuals from outside of the correctional service, so for example if they are staff within the health department, Mr. Chair, I may not be best placed to speak to what specific training they have or have not received. I think perhaps I would commit to getting the Member a breakdown, perhaps by who comes into the facility. There was one specific item I was looking for. The Member had mentioned about leadership. Corrections is currently developing a...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe it is $500,000; $505,000 for three positions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission is tasked with identifying new suppliers, where they're available. It is a challenge that's being faced by our other territorial and provincial partners. It's one that we'll continue to talk to them about their own practices and see if there are options in our procurement that we haven't considered. As I say, I am alive to the ultimate impacts of not having supply and what that does. Again, it's a fairly new system across Canada, so hopefully, as all the provinces and territories work that through, that we will see a general improvement...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At this point, the program does service Yellowknife, Detah, and Ndilo specifically, and there is no express plan at this point to expand that service. Although, as I noted in some of the earlier questions, fully 45 percent of the individuals who receive services are residents of other communities. That said, the GNWT in general, right now, is taking an approach of trying to move to more integrated services and more integrated service delivery. That's about the best I can say right now, is that there is a broad level of commitment to improving this kind of service across...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

Mr. Chair, thank you. Fortunately, I have had contact with the staff who do administer the day-to-day operations and am assured that these numbers were developed initially post-devolution to reflect the certain reality, given the current reality in the business planning process that will be undertaken this spring, that there may well be a review to consider whether or not these estimates are more than is required in light of the work that they are being requested to do. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is currently, in fact, an evaluation underway of that program, and if we can, we will endeavour to provide the deadline of when to expect that back; if not imminently, then I would commit to providing details as to when we are expected to have that report back. Thank you.