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.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's always nice to have a bit of an out, to be able to get back to the House with respect to detailed information. What I can say, Mr. Speaker, at this point is that any of the work that's involving the lake is going to have to involve the Department of DFO for the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, small craft harbour specifically. And at this point, what I understand they are looking at is at least three different potential designs and as such that it my understanding of them, not being someone who's designed this type of facility, is that it...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 79)
Thank you, Madam Chair. No the two programs to support the tourism industry, these are both GNWT funded, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, if I might too I'm sorry to do this, but we'll need to just double check the numbers you read on the last one for the sake of the record. But I don't want to take the Member's time away on that, the 118.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 78)
Thank you, Madam Chair. So, Madam Chair, there's certainly is a lot of work that's underway looking at broadly how the government manages carryovers and responds and reports on carryovers. So I can't say that I necessarily have a complete answer at this point. But, there are a few things in the works and perhaps I'll just pause. I'll turn it over to Mr. Koe, please, just to give an update as to what some of the most recent thinking is that we're at on that. Just knowing that, again, that some of that would have to, of course, come through any final decisions would have to come through of...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 78)
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd suggest that go to the Minister of Justice, please.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 78)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I was thinking I had the opportunity to speak a little more to broadly, as to why we have carryovers and how that works. But if the question is specifically about a patrol vehicle, I can certainly turn that over to Mr. Courtoreille.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 78)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, on your right is Jamie Koe, assistant deputy minister for the Department of Finance, and on your left is Terrence Courtoreille, the director of the Management Board Secretariat.
The committee has agreed to forego general comments on each department. Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document? Committee has agreed to begin the review of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Committee will begin on page 6.
Are there any questions or comments in regards to Education, Culture and Employment?
Okay...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 78)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, Madam Chair, the information I'm having here, I'm trying to pull up ITI materials in addition to Finance materials as I'm here. But that did again, there have been quite a number of conversations with the City of Yellowknife as well as the Department of Lands to determine if some of those exact questions of who owns these sites, what are they zoned for, and what can they be best used for. As far as any discussions that may have been public consultations, I don't have that information here. I will confirm and get back to the Member recognizing that her riding is...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 78)
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I mean I certainly sympathize that it's a lot of money for what it's, you know, essentially being portrayed as being an evidence locker but, in this particular case, because they are dealing with obviously hunters, if, in fact, a case is found where the hunter may not have been hunting illegally, well then that meat needs to go back to that hunter and their family; it wouldn't necessarily get distributed to other members of other communities. So I think that's part of the challenge that is faced, and is particularly in the North Slave Region where, I...
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Act be read for the second time.
This bill amends the Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Act to ensure continued effective regulation and oversight of the NEBF pension plan. This bill redefines the names the pension committee required under the act; changes the requirements for the composition of the pension committee; clarifies the ability of the pension committee to make rules, policies, and procedures addressing matters...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 78)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this is another part of, I think, a good news story with the movement on the Great Slave Lake for fishery revitalization because, yes, my understanding is that Arcand is in fact put their materials forward with a lot of local contractors all working together. So perhaps when I provide the update broadly speaking about the Great Slave Lake fishery, that I will see what we can provide on this as well. Again, I think this is actually a good news story of a company that's come together and really looked at how to use northern suppliers in their bid. Thank you.
