Caroline Wawzonek

Member Yellowknife South

Deputy Premier
Minister of Finance
Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation
Minister Responsible for Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains

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,  Minister 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
Caroline Wawzonek
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)

Thank you, Madam Chair. So an estimate right now would be in the range of approximately $370,000. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, again, that would involve going through project by project over 33 different communities. The GNWT is the flowthrough agent. So the federal government really just provides the money but we allocate it out without - you know, it's not up to us to decide for a community what project they want to advance or not. So there is a lot here that's being carried over, and I'd be happy to try to work in a new way if there is one but, really, this is money that is not ours to decide upon it. Really, just what we want to keep it available for communities but I can't...

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

Madam Chair, again, if I could just put that one to Mr. Courtoreille, please.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, let me turn that to Mr. Courtoreille. He may have that information available.

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

Certainly, Madam Chair, that - we can certainly - yes. Yes, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, there was some delay obviously - well, I shouldn't say obviously. There was some delay early on in the project due to problems not dissimilar to others we've seen across Canada around supply chains. However, Madam Chair, there certainly is, as I've said before, there is a project money here now for $2.555 million expected to continue this project moving forward. There is quite a lot that's happening at the site right now.

It is moving forward at this point. I don't expect - you know, all I can say is what's here, is that we are asking for the carryover...

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. That is correct, this is a carryover only. It's not the total project in and of itself. So completion of the complete overall is not expected until 20272028 in its entirety. But this does begin the work of engineering, survey, and design, and this will be enough - or at least it's anticipated to be enough to complete that stage of the project, and then with a project to go out to procurement thereafter. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. So total amount expected to be lapsed would be $54 million roughly.

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

By August, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think that actually may be a slight deviation from what we've heard in the past. Let me take that back to not only the Department of Finance but infrastructure and possibly executive. That is a much bigger question. I mean, even a needs assessment obviously would be not a small thing to perhaps have to coordinate between all the different departments and regions. But let me get - I'll certainly commit to coming back with a more conferred response with all departments. Thank you.