Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland was first elected in the 19th Assembly as the MLA for Kam Lake in 2019, and has served as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment since 2023 after being acclaimed to the 20th Assembly.
In addition to owning and operating a northern business for over 20 years, Minister Cleveland worked in a variety of communications and policy roles in both the public and private sectors before entering politics.
Between 2019 to 2023, she chaired the Standing Committee on Social Development, fulfilling a goal to be a part of the discussions and decisions affecting social programs in the Northwest Territories. Her noteworthy work on the Committee included guiding the considerable review and input into recommendations on housing in the NWT, suicide prevention, and improvements to caring for children in care and building supported families.
Within the scope of her portfolios, Minister Cleveland is focused on helping children grow into successful NWT residents that recognize opportunities and develop successful careers that contribute to a growing economy. She advocates for new approaches to sector diversification and innovation, and ensures the North is welcoming both skilled foreign workers and investment in the critical mineral resources across the territory. She persistently explores solutions for efficient and equitable access to programs and services, upholding a shared vision of an NWT where people are supported in the ways they wish to live, work, and grow.
Minister Cleveland is a lifelong resident of Yellowknife where she lives with her husband and their three children.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to having more conversations about this with the Minister because I think it merits further conversation. My last question I really want to know: does the Minister intend to table the NWT Arts Strategy during this sitting? Thank you.
That's not fabulous news, because a lot of the extra funding and grants that are available to northern artists do come through and are filtered through our government system. They either come from ITI or they come from the NWT Arts Council through ECE. I am wondering if the Minister can confirm or not if NWT artists would actually be better served by an NWT Arts Council that was independent of ECE.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Is this considered fully subscribed for this program? Thank you.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I understand if this information isn't available, but just in regard to, if the plan is to do extended stays for people, if there will be opening of showers this year? These may be CPHO questions, but I figured I would ask them now. I can come back later if need be.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I am going to start with the Great Northern Arts Festival. I am happy to see that this is still staying here, given that it's a COVID year and it's easy in COVID to try and take out stuff like this, but I think this is such an important festival. It is something that is celebrated throughout the North and very important. What I'm wondering is if there has ever been discussion of actually increasing this line item and taking advantage of the fact that a lot of the world is back on lockdown? I think there is a great opportunity here for us to support our digital...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I want to hear all about the fabulous commercials and promotional material that is all ready to go out across Canada and internationally so that we can attract people back right away with fabulous programs and really selling our NWT tourism operators, from Fort Smith right up to the Arctic Ocean. Thank you.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act. Bill 20 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on November 4, 2020, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review. On February 10, 2021, the standing committee held a public hearing with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and completed its clause-by-clause review of the bill on March 2, 2021. Mr. Speaker, the committee reports that Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act, is ready for...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I really appreciate that because, while it's not a line item here, I think it's an opportunity for us to mitigate some costs down the road in some other line items. I appreciate that. Thank you.
I don't think I have to say too much to that. I think it's pretty obvious that there is some room for improvement. Mr. Speaker, I'm wondering what supports are available to NWT women to foster successful entrepreneurship, and are any new initiatives in the works for this year?
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 66)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I have similar questions about the MPR various contributions line item, which is contributions for the geological survey scientific research and mineral resources, so I am wondering if the Minister can speak to that. I do recognize that it has been two years now that that has been gone from the budget, but it did used to be a $626,000 investment in resource development. Thank you.
