Caroline Wawzonek

Member Yellowknife South

Deputy Premier
Minister of Finance
Minister of Infrastructure
Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation

Caroline Wawzonek was first elected to the 19th Legislative Assembly in 2019 as the Member for Yellowknife South. Ms. Wawzonek served as Minister of Justice,  Minster of Finance, Minister responsible for the Status of Women and the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. In 2023, Ms. Wawzonek was acclaimed to the 20th Legislative Assembly and returned to Executive Council as Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Infrastructure and the Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation.
 
Ms. Wawzonek holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary (2000) and a law degree from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (2005). Her academic journey included language studies in China and Taiwan, as well as legal internships in the Philippines and England. Born in Calgary, AB, she has called Yellowknife home since 2007.
 
After establishing her criminal law practice post-admission to the Law Society of the NWT, Ms. Wawzonek appeared in all levels of NWT courts and engaged in circuit court travel. She later joined Dragon Toner, expanding her practice to general litigation and administrative law until becoming a member of the 19th Assembly.
 
Since 2007, she has taken on leadership roles in the legal community, including the presidency of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories (LSNT), section chair for the Canadian Bar Association Northwest Territories Branch (CBA-NT), and committee membership in various working groups. Her community involvement extends to appointments in multiple Yellowknife organizations, and she received a national award in 2017 for her contributions to Canadian Women in Law.
 
Ms. Wawzonek, a mother of two, enjoys running, paddleboarding, and time outdoors.
 

Committees

Yellowknife South
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Extension
12177
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Infrastructure, and Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation
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Minister
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Statements in Debates

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 124)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I think that is a question that's looking at the entire capital budget that is being proposed. So let me take that back and when the Department of Finance is here, that might be the time to attempt a more fulsome response. Thank you.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 124)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I mean, Mr. Chair, at this point I don't have I mean, this is, right now, the budget that we have here is already underway. So I can't say that I've received any particular money from the feds on this particular project. Now that said, you know, to the extent that there's yes yes, at this point, Mr. Chair, that's not where the funding is coming from. So thanks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 124)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So right now, Mr. Chair, this current fiscal, there was, of course I shouldn't say of course. There was a design process underway. I believe that is on schedule in terms of the kitchen shelter and the cultural building. The next stage of it for the current capital plan would be actual construction. That's an amount that is proposed for $450,000. So obviously that one will be subject to whether or not there is a passing of this budget, whether or not that kitchen shelter is built or not in the coming here. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 124)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, that is, indeed, correct that that is part of what MARS will be doing, is creating the parameters by which there can be online map staking. It is also part of the platform that will allow for applications and submissions to occur online, for map viewing online, data analysis, a 24/7 availability. So it's more than just the online map staking. And it is tied, indeed, to the regulations. They're being built together so that those who are developing the platform know what it is that they are being asked to develop.

At this point, we're I'd like to suggest we if I...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 124)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to make sure I have the right park when I go to see which one this is. But the deputy minister might now offhand immediately which one it is so let me turn to her, please.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 124)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, let me direct that to the deputy minister, please.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 124)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I think NWT Tourism, who has a funding portfolio for bringing up conferences, would probably love to have that conversation. So let's commit to having the conversation and seeing where that can go. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 124)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, because the Ingraham Trail itself up to and including right to the end, the area around Tibbitt Lake that the MLA is mentioning, is not a park, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment doesn't have any sort of authority or control over that space. To the extent that there may be room for a pullout or parking or some other sort of highway or roadway facilities, that'll be a question to direct to the Department of Infrastructure. As folks may be aware here, and you'll recall the Department of Infrastructure and ITI do often work together to see that...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 123)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think that the MLA is referencing discussions that were had between myself and colleagues on the other side when we were preparing the main estimates and passing the main estimates. And I certainly can, you know, provide I believe this information has been provided, but I'm happy to go through it again.

There were increases, at the conclusions of those discussions, made to various program budgets within Housing NWT. It was, I believe, $6.6 million that was committed in addition, as part of the main estimates’ discussions, to fund projects that are specifically...