Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland was first elected in the 19th Assembly as the MLA for Kam Lake in 2019, and has served as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment since 2023 after being acclaimed to the 20th Assembly.
In addition to owning and operating a northern business for over 20 years, Minister Cleveland worked in a variety of communications and policy roles in both the public and private sectors before entering politics.
Between 2019 to 2023, she chaired the Standing Committee on Social Development, fulfilling a goal to be a part of the discussions and decisions affecting social programs in the Northwest Territories. Her noteworthy work on the Committee included guiding the considerable review and input into recommendations on housing in the NWT, suicide prevention, and improvements to caring for children in care and building supported families.
Within the scope of her portfolios, Minister Cleveland is focused on helping children grow into successful NWT residents that recognize opportunities and develop successful careers that contribute to a growing economy. She advocates for new approaches to sector diversification and innovation, and ensures the North is welcoming both skilled foreign workers and investment in the critical mineral resources across the territory. She persistently explores solutions for efficient and equitable access to programs and services, upholding a shared vision of an NWT where people are supported in the ways they wish to live, work, and grow.
Minister Cleveland is a lifelong resident of Yellowknife where she lives with her husband and their three children.
This past weekend was the NWT Association of Communities AGM in Inuvik. Since long before the election of the 19th Assembly, the topic of Commissioner's land within the City of Yellowknife has definitely been a hot topic. What commitments were made at the AGM in regard to the transfer of Commissioner's land to municipalities?
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 12)
Just to clarify, is that we currently we have eight Nunavut inmates or 8 percent of inmates choose to stay within the capital following their incarceration? Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The process of land transfers to municipal governments is not working. It prevents municipal governments from having the authority and autonomy to make timely land use decisions within municipal boundaries and impedes business development. In addition, YKDFN is now trading land with the City of Yellowknife, essentially removing the GNWT from the process.
Twenty-five years ago, MACA helped community governments develop land use plans and administered lands within municipal boundaries. MACA has long since devolved the responsibility for developing community land use...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. My concern around that is our corporate income taxes for our large companies in the Northwest Territories are typically a lower percent than they are compared to the rest of Canada, and our taxes for our small and medium businesses are actually higher than they are for the average of the rest of Canada. I am wondering if the Minister of Finance is also willing to talk about our small and medium business income tax percentage as well over the life of this Assembly, and preferably this year? Thank you.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
I appreciate that. It's just an opportunity to update people on business opportunities within our communities. No further questions on this one. Thank you.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Sorry, just so that I'm clear: there is a request for proposal process? It's not a request for interest process? Thank you.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you, Madam Chair. My questions are along the same lines as my colleague from Yellowknife North. Has the Minister of Finance entered into any kind of discussion with the Government of Canada in regard to the cost of cannabis? One of the reasons that we legalized cannabis was to provide for greater safety for our residents, in order to make sure that we were supplying them with a safe product; but, when the product is priced much higher than the black market, it doesn't accomplish that goal. So, are we having conversations about the cost of legal cannabis versus the cost of black market...
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 11)
Thank you, Madam Chair. As part of that process, does committee have the ability to discuss the quantity of northern contractors used in the P3? Thank you.
I appreciate the Minister's words. Earlier today, she delivered a Minister's statement in regard to prompt payment, and that's the subject that the Minister and I have been discussing at length over the course of our term. I have absolutely no doubt that the Minister is on this and will carry through, as she has already shown to me.
My next question for the Minister is: would she be able to explain some of the constitutional challenge, vulnerabilities of the policy to us today? Because I know that has been a concern of the GNWT for many years. I'm just wondering how the department feels that...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Finance in regard to the Affirmative Action Policy. My understanding is the Affirmative Action Policy last went through an official review in 1994. I am wondering what the findings of that review were and if any changes were made to the policy as a result. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
