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 27)

While again, Madam Chair, we don't have the specific breakdown, I will certainly get it. I think really what I am being asked is whether or not we are going to look at whether we need to charge the $4 fee. That is not something that I have had a chance to speak to the department about, but I can certainly commit to having a proper conversation with the department and getting back to the Member or to this House about that. Thanks.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Sorry, if I could just clarify, it's the total revenue per year. Is that correct?

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

Madam Chair, I don't disagree with anything that the Member has said. It's just that I can't spend this money. I don't have the ability to spend this money, but obviously the more we say it out in this House about these ideas, the more possibility that one of the community organizations could work with the Department of Justice and put forward a plan to do exactly as the Member has suggested. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Yes, Madam Chair, I do.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I believe there are. I don't know them offhand. If I may, Madam Chair, if you could check with the deputy minister and see if she has that information available to her? If not, Madam Chair, then, we'll certainly commit to getting it to the Member.

Question 290-19(2): Dominion Diamond Mine Creditor Protection
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.

Question 290-19(2): Dominion Diamond Mine Creditor Protection
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.

Question 287-19(2): Highway Safety and Cell Service
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.