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.
Madam Chair, challenges have been expressed. The hiring process that we have is meant to be one that is objective, that includes opportunities for objectivity in terms evaluating qualifications. The race to ensure that objectivity can make the process seem arduous, so I understand that there are some frustrations. I'm alive to it. I appreciate getting the comments from the Member. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Perhaps I will say that, within the course of the current session, if the situation hasn't improved, I will make sure that the Member is made aware of it, so that she has time to take me to task for it on the floor. I am hopeful that she won't have to do that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Not every person who applies has appeal rights. Those who do have appeal rights, I believe the intention is that they should be given that information. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Madam Chair, yes. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have already had the benefit of investment from the federal government, partnered with the GNWT, to begin the process. The Taltson and the Slave Geologic Province are both at a point where they can begin the process toward environmental assessments. There is already support from our federal government partners to advance those projects. There is a lot of work that can be done in the course of three years to have them to be at a point where they would be then ready to proceed to a construction stage. A further injection of dollars at this point may not be necessary to...
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories wants NWT businesses to flourish. For small businesses in particular, prompt payment of invoices is critical to their financial health.
As Minister, I can assure you that the Department of Finance places a high value on maintaining a positive working relationship with the companies the GNWT does business with.
The Financial and Employee Shared Services, or FESS, is the division responsible for processing and issuing payment for all supplier invoices for goods and services provided to all GNWT departments, the Northwest Territories Housing...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, if a P1 has applied on a position, meets the requirements, and the passing grade for the various positions are set in conjunction and collaboration between human resources and departments, and if a P1 passes whatever the passing grade is, taking into account all of the qualifications, then the P1 gets the position, even if a non-P1 has a higher grade. Thank you, Madam. Chair.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you, Madam Chair. The RFP process was due to come out early this calendar year, and it is behind schedule. I'm conscious that it's behind schedule, and the department is conscious that it's behind schedule. So, when is it due to come out exactly? At this point, I'm more hesitant to put a deadline on it, other than to say that, when we're already behind schedule, we don't want to be more behind schedule. It's coming. It will be out in due course. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Madam Chair, I will commit to providing the rationale that underlies all direct appointments. I certainly can provide that in fairly short order. With respect to the number of direct appointments that have occurred, I would like to first confirm that this wouldn't result in any information-sharing that would be inappropriate. For example, in a small community, I wouldn't want this to wind up with somebody having their personal information shared about the nature of their employment. I will return to the Member with a response as to whether or not I can, in fact, make that commitment on the...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I am alive that the Member has previously spoken about this topic, and I believe that I have previously made commitments to ensure that the draft materials for seeking those grants and for making application for those grants would be provided to committee for input before being finalized. I believe I will be completing that commitment in the very near future. Thank you, Madam Chair.
