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. The people who I serve or many of the people who I serve in Kam Lake generate their income either directly or indirectly from the mining industry, so my first question today I know is very important for them. Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment can speak to how the GNWT is working to increase mining exploration and development across the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just a couple of questions. Last year, when we did this exercise, we touched briefly on the topic of tracking carryovers, and I'm wondering: typically, on an annual basis, what percent of Infrastructure's entire budget becomes a carryover to the next year? Thank you.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 63)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I think it will be a really quick question, perhaps. I know that we asked a lot of questions last week about the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and the deficit that's in it. One of the things that I struggle with, and I think it was evident in the fact that I kept asking all last week, where different items from NTHSSA fell within that budget. I know that it's fairly new that we have a conglomerate of health authorities. I am wondering if there is any plan moving forward for the health authority to actually break out some of this...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 63)
Thanks very much, Madam Chair. One of the figures that was given earlier was $250 for return airfare. I am wondering what portion of that or what portion of the amount above and beyond that is covered by NIHB. Thank you.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 63)
No, I appreciate that. I just want to clarify something that the Minister just said. If somebody is vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine, does that have an effect on their need to self-isolate for medical travel or any other reason? Thank you.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 63)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. No. I appreciate that, and I appreciate the commitment of returning with information as to whether or not we are covering that or if that's being covered by Alberta because I think it will add a significant cost to our medical travel, especially if people are then coming home and then having to then self-isolate again. That would mean a month of self-isolating for people after a medical travel appointment. Is the department of health offering any kind of financial assistance to people who end up in a situation where they are having to self-isolate for a month...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 63)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Yes, it is a budget question because there is a cost to having to self-isolate in Edmonton afterwards, and my next question is going to be: who pays for it? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister alluding to the fact that she is willing to work with other departments. I think it's important to see, for other departments, what role they play within that process and how their involvement in that process affects the overall timelines, as well, so I appreciate that. It would be amazing if we could get our mineral exploration back to the level it was in the mid - to early 2000s. That would be very exciting. It feels different when the North is exploding with economic development. Everybody has some bounce in their step. There is...
In my Member's statement, I spoke briefly about the Fraser Institute and their survey of the mining report. I am wondering if ITI has a desire to address the concerns outlined in this report, and if so, how will the GNWT effectively increase transparency and consistency in the NWT regulatory process?
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Sorry, I am breaking up my questions more today because I got some flak for that last time. There was discussion last year about a project tracking system in order to be able to track the carryovers that are happening. My assumption would be that this would come out of the O and M budget through department management, and I am wondering if that is budgeted for within this year's O and M through department management. Thank you.
