Caroline Wawzonek

Députée de Yellowknife Sud

Première ministre adjointe
Ministre des Finances
Ministre responsable de la Société d’énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Ministre responsable de l’infrastructure stratégique, de l’énergie et des chaînes d’approvisionnement

Caroline Wawzonek a été élue pour la première fois à la 19e Assemblée législative en 2019, comme représentante de Yellowknife Sud. Elle a été ministre de la Justice, ministre des Finances, ministre responsable de la condition de la femme, et ministre de l’Industrie, du Tourisme et de l’Investissement. En 2023, Mme Wawzonek a été élue par acclamation à la 20e Assemblée législative et a réintégré le Conseil exécutif en tant que première ministre adjointe, ministre des Finances, ministre de l’Infrastructure et ministre responsable de la Société d’énergie des TNO.

Mme Wawzonek a obtenu un baccalauréat ès arts de l’Université de Calgary en 2000 et un diplôme en droit de la faculté de droit de l’Université de Toronto en 2005. Son parcours universitaire comprend des études de langues en Chine et à Taïwan, ainsi que des stages de droit aux Philippines et en Angleterre. Mme Wawzonek est née à Calgary (Alberta) et habite Yellowknife depuis 2007.

Une fois admise au Barreau des TNO, Mme Wawzonek a mis sur pied sa propre pratique du droit pénal et a plaidé à tous les échelons du système judiciaire des Territoires du Nord-Ouest, et s’est souvent déplacée dans les collectivités ténoises à cet effet. Elle a ensuite intégré le cabinet d’avocats Dragon Toner, élargissant sa pratique au litige général et au droit administratif jusqu’à ce qu’elle devienne députée de la 19e Assemblée.

Depuis 2007, Mme Wawzonek a assumé de nombreux rôles de leadership au sein de la communauté juridique : elle a notamment été présidente du Barreau des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et présidente de section pour la division des Territoires du Nord-Ouest de l’Association du Barreau canadien, et a participé à divers groupes de travail. Son engagement envers la collectivité l’a amenée à œuvrer dans de multiples organisations de Yellowknife et, en 2017, elle a reçu un prix national soulignant le travail de femmes canadiennes œuvrant dans le domaine du droit.

Mère de deux enfants, Caroline Wawzonek aime courir, faire de la planche à pagaie et passer du temps à l’extérieur.

Committees

Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife Sud
Bureau

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Boîte
1320
Extension
12177
Vice-premier ministre, Ministère des finances, Ministre de l'Infrastructure, Ministre responsable de la Société d'énergie des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Mobile
Ministre

Déclarations dans les débats

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

That's a slightly more difficult question to answer. I took note yesterday when the Member gave a very impassioned speech about the importance of being quick, sometimes, with what government does. Certainly, in our COVID-19 response this government has been nimble and quick and responsive, in my view. Taking action with government data that includes personal information, private information, health information, information with all sorts of privacy concerns, privilege concerns, labour relations concerns, that is not something that we're going to be able to rush through quickly. The information...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 196-19(2): Economic Cost and Support for Business." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

There is a steering committee that has been formed, as well, which has led to the ISSS being developed. It is co-chaired by the chief information officer, whose position resides within Finance, as well as executive, the EIA department deputy secretary. While I appreciate that there are a variety of possible views on what the correct process or best process might be, what I would commit to is to bringing forward some reports through to the Member and, if interested, then to a relevant committee about what process is underway, what process has been chosen, and why, and certainly, to take back...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 28)

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly defer to you on the rules. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm happy to answer this particular question. Yes, Mr. Speaker, absolutely. The securities that are required by the land and water board are up to date, and we have every confidence that they are available to the GNWT if they are needed. They are in accordance with the reclamation plan that was approved by the land and water board. I suppose it's all good news in that regard for the moment. Thank you.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 27)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am going to send that one over to the director of Finance, too, please.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, it works out well to have those two roles combined in this particular instance. The Department of Finance does have the lead in terms of monitoring the CCAA proceedings and does work with Justice in terms of providing legal counsel and coordinating instructions to our external legal counsel in partnership with ITI as they, of course, have relationships with this industry more directly. Back to the Member's question about when we got involved, we do have experienced counsel involved in CCAA proceedings based in Alberta. We were notified of the filing on the day...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 27)

Thank you, Madam Chair. I know there is some variance as a result of the UNW collective bargaining, but if I might, I'm going to ask the director of Finance if there is any further information that we can provide to the Member, please.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 27)

I am certainly more than happy to phone Northwestel and have some engagement with them. In fact, I do think that that's an easy "yes." As far as what I can or can't convince a private corporation to do, I'm not going to be in a position to say "yes" or to make any commitment in that regard. Certainly, they are an important private sector partner in the Northwest Territories, and I'm sure they will want to have discussions and engagements with the GNWT.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 27)

Thank you, Madam Chair. That, on its face, seems like an easily solved problem, so part of me wants to simply give the easy "yes," but at this point, again, I am not sure if there are other pieces of legislation, either domestic to the Northwest Territories, that we would have to comply with. I do not know the degree to which there would have to be associated amendments and associated regulation changes, et cetera. I just do not know the extent to which this is a problem or why it's the problem that it is. What I can certainly commit to doing is finding out why, why it is that we have this...