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, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it is my understanding at this point that well, I don't have any information that we're putting that forward as a plan, as an idea in terms of having WiFi as a set available thing at a park. I mean, I think some parks do have access to it, and the extent that park users then can go and use it is, you know, I guess up to them. I think it's based on the Starlink program in most parks to the extent that again, I believe most of them have it. They are often operated by contractors. So if I'm hedging a bit, it's because it does somewhat depend on each...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 164)
Sorry, Madam Chair. Let me take that to Mr. Brennan. I may have just missed the question there.
Thank you. Yes, I do, Madam Chair. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 20232024. These supplementary estimates propose a total increase of $120 million to the shortterm borrowing authorization limit. The primary purpose of this increase is to address and respond to the unforeseen emergency costs as a result of wildfire activity this year.
That concludes my opening remarks. I am happy to answer questions, Madam Chair.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 164)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it is just to be able to confirm that at this point it's really a repair project, and it's done it is in following to the recommendations that were received as part of the larger environmental not larger, but the environmental assessment that was done. So we've taken those recommendations and that is what we are planning to act upon, and the first round of funding is to do the planning to undertake that and just to get that going. There's still other work happening at the dock with DFO. That is DFO's that they are working on as to whether or not this...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member has asked or made quite a number of statements about the procurement review, and there has been quite a lot done. In July of this year, a report was put out publicly. It's online through the GNWT's government the Department of Finance website detailing all the many changes and improvements to procurement in the Northwest Territories that have been made in the life of this government.
Within that with respect to the Business Incentive Policy and I know the Member goes on at length about how much he liked the review, the review itself says that...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 164)
Thank you, Madam Chair. If the issue is around an evacuation route, that probably does not fall within ITI. Certainly during the evacuation, infrastructure did take the lead in terms of providing some additional porta potties along the route and ensuring that there was some additional cleaning, as did ITI, to ensure that for the parks that are there in the parks along the way, that the outhouses that are there that they were receiving additional cleaning. I am I have received both side of this council in that I certainly did receive some complaints, but I also had other people that I was...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 164)
Thank you, Madam Chair. So part of what a significant portion of the work that was done was an analysis of the potential mining needs for really, for the entire region. I think people sometimes presume it's just for Slave Geologic only, but it does go far beyond that. I know that NTPC have already entered into MOU agreements with Pine Point and I believe with Norra Zinc, although I could stand to be corrected about that. But are also in discussions with some of the other mines in and around in the South Slave but also then through the North Slave and, again, not only with respect to Slave...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 164)
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I did want to know I'm glad I have the chance, there was a working group, it actually does have a new name now, it's the Northwest Territories Housing Forum. And I'm not sure whether or not terms of reference can be shared. Obviously, we'd be only one seat at that table but let me make that inquiry. And perhaps that, again, also can demonstrate the level of commitment between all the parties at that forum and what they're attempting to do at that forum. Thank you.
