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

Board of Management
Yellowknife South
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Office
(867) 767-9143
Extension
12177
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Infrastructure, and Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation
Mobile
867-445-7437
Minister
Email
Email

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Just waiting on the light, Madam Chair. Yes, that is correct, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, with me today, on my left, is Bill MacKay, the deputy minister of finance. And on my right is Terence Courtoreille, the deputy secretary to the financial management board.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Thank you, Madam Chair. 2026.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Thank you, Madam Chair. So, Madam Chair, this is an area where I know there's been a point of discord, perhaps, in the past. There is a hesitancy in putting too much information out as I provided this explanation in response in the past, because we only firstly appropriate year by year. So until something is in the capital plan and not just the infrastructure acquisition plan, but the actual capital estimates, then we can appropriate for the year through the capital estimates so there's a hesitancy to put anything out in advance of that because it hasn't been approved by the Legislative...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, obviously, you know, I appreciate the comments with respect to the Dempster. I know other colleagues raised roads and that in the Beaufort Delta region as well, and I'm live to the fact that I know the three premiers from the northern territories also raised concerns around ensuring viability of the Dempster going forward. So, you know, wanting to assure the public that there's an awareness of the need to maintain that roadway. That said, Madam Chair, with respect to this list, obviously it is not on this list because it's not one of the projects that was...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I am happy to present the Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 20232024.

The infrastructure supplementary estimates propose a total increase of $124.5 million comprised of the following items:

• $129.5 million for infrastructure expenditures funding for projects that were not completed in 20222023. This amount is fully offset by lapses in appropriations in 20222023;

• A decrease of $9.6 million to reflect changes in the timing of planned expenditures for the Frank Channel Bridge replacement project;

• $2.2 million to purchase a Dual...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, this is the advanced work to then be able to put it out for a design build through a public procurement process. Thank you.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

That's fine, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Thank you, Madam Chair. So this is one where this is - it's termed as a recash flowing of the project. So the project is still moving forward. It did see some delays, but that money is moving into future years, and we are anticipating there's going to be spend in 20222023 so starting but starting this summer I'm sorry, yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 158)

Thank you, Madam Chair. No, the Member has spoken to myself and Minister Simpson as well just yesterday so I will prepare to discuss that further next week. Thank you.