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 12)

Mr. Chair, that kind of tracking is being kept. I'm scanning my notes right now for numbers, but that's not the best use of anyone's time right here. Let me commit to getting some numbers back, and perhaps what I will do is engage directly with the Member first before responding, to ensure that we're giving the kinds of numbers he's looking for that can assist this committee in evaluating this work. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I had indicated earlier, I am aware that there has been some change in terms of the registration process and that, whereas before anyone who may have dropped in could have simply written their name down and been noted as having registered, now there is a more rigorous expectation that someone who wishes to take the program does need to formally register themselves. As such, that may account for some of the drop in numbers. I'm certainly hesitant to entirely ascribe that to the drop in numbers, since it is, as the Member has noted, a small sample and a short period of...

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is not a specific line item for cultural activities within the facility. That said, it is very much considered to be a core part of the services that are provided by corrections in the Northwest Territories, starting from the point when somebody enters the facility through to the kinds of programming that are provided, as well as, for example, even the structure of the buildings themselves. The new facility that is in Fort Smith, Mr. Chair, has considered better integrating a land-based approach, even within the facility itself, even within the construction of the...

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am hesitant to answer that. I think that may be a question that might come up as Lands comes before the committee. From the perspective of these positions, their role would be, firstly, to help determine whether or not there is an Indigenous right to a land that is being claimed or occupied, and then also to help enforce when there's a case of somebody who is unauthorized on the land. The role of these lawyers isn't primarily to be one of collection. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have some good news. That is that the majority of provisions are expected to be brought forward, or brought into force, in the fall, this fall of 2020. That would include the changes that are being made to reduce some of the fees. With respect to changes that are going to be made that will impact on smaller communities and municipalities, Madam Speaker, a working group has been formed with representatives of the small communities to ensure that they are part of the process to develop those regulations. That working group now has set dates when they will meet, and as...

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

Mr. Chair, no, I hear the Member's point. I hear his concerns. I would note that one of the other things that ICM does deliver is identifying barriers in the services that are provided. Certainly, I can commit to saying that as those barriers are being identified, we do now, in this Assembly, the 19th Legislative Assembly need to do a better job of ensuring that those barriers are removed. That will have benefits for our residents across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's my understanding that that work is currently being undertaken by the executive director of OROGO and that it will be coming before committee as part of the planning process. I can see the difference in the numbers myself. I am confident that the executive director at OROGO is going to be undertaking that work if she hasn't already. It will be back before committee. If the committee would like a technical briefing before we get into business planning process, I'm more than happy to make sure that that happens. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In 2019-2020, there were 16 registrations completed and then two individuals who went through the entire curriculum. I would just want to note, Mr. Chair, that, although registrations over the last few years have formally gone down in terms of sheer numbers, the registration process has become somewhat more rigorous. If the Member is comparing year over year, there will be some significant appearance of a drop, but it's not simply a lack of uptake; it may be due to other factors. Similarly, I would note then that, as far as completions, although the ratio of individuals...

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

Mr. Chair, sorry, and I am sorry for the hesitancy earlier. It depends a bit on what part the Member is asking for. Training funding comes both under the contracts for the people providing it as well as travel, for example. As far as an increase this year, there is not a detailed increase. There is no specific increase. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At this time, the Department of Justice was anticipating and is anticipating addressing unauthorized land occupancy happening in the Department of Lands, and that, to support that undertaking, the Department of Justice was estimating that they would require three additional positions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.