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 11)

Madam Chair, yes. I have personally been engaged on this issue with the Department of Finance federally along with a host of other issues. I think I have had telephone conversations, there have been letter exchanges, and we have had an opportunity to meet at the federal, provincial, and territorial finance Ministers' meetings. When I am saying that it is an act of engagement and dialogue, it has been that already, even in four short months. It is a dialogue and an exchange that is really more than just the federal debt limit. It is much more, also, about really looking to the federal...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't have my numbers broken down that way, but I'm confident that we can provide that information. I'll do so. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Madam Chair. That is correct, and it's a challenge that's being faced by other jurisdictions, as well. Which is not to say that a solution shouldn't be found, just that we're certainly not alone with the challenge. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Madam Chair, Shared Corporate Services is a communications function that is shared with the EIA, Executive and Indigenous Affairs. I wonder, though, if perhaps what the Member is seeking more information about is Information Shared Services System, which is a newer initiative and there is an ongoing evaluation process. If I could just confirm, Madam Chair?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Madam Chair, thank you. I believe that there is approximately $5.8 million in carbon tax revenue available that is to be directed towards investments that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, at this point, the process of how those are being allocated is still part of the business planning process, so it's not allocated within the main estimates that are in front of committee right now. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Certainly, my intention is not to exceed that limit, period. We do have two years between now and when it's even projected. It's not something that is set in stone that we would. In the next few years, either the limit is increased at the behest of the federal government; if it is not and certainly not at the Nth hour, if it is not, then we have to certainly reconsider the borrowing plan and the fiscal plan that we are in at the point in time. At this point, we certainly have solidly two years within which to make those considerations. I am, at this point, optimistic...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will be able to get that number and provide it to the Member. Thank you.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Those are the kinds of questions I would think would be appropriate for the 10-year review. Given that that process will be undertaken within the life of this Assembly, I can at the very least, commit to ensuring that those kinds of questions are back as part of the process with the committee. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Madam Chair. The federal government's budget will be coming out, obviously, next month, and I think, in terms of the northern residents deduction, we will have to look and see what has been included there. I can assure the Member that I am alive to what he is raising and that we will continue to engage with the Department of Finance from the federal government to work toward the best possible value and outcome for the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I was just confirming that the difference between the two that is the amount that is used for administration of the tax, so there is a portion that goes towards administration and not only to the offset. Thank you, Madam Chair.