Member Range Lake

Kieron Testart was elected to the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Range Lake.

Mr. Testart was born on March 22, 1985, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He was raised in the Northwest Territories, first residing in Tuktoyaktuk and later in Yellowknife, where Mr. Testart now lives with his family, his diverse background and wealth of experiences have shaped his commitment to community development and effective governance.

Mr. Testart was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kam Lake in the 18th Legislative Assembly, where he demonstrated a keen understanding of the issues facing his constituents. Beyond his legislative roles, Kieron has contributed significantly to the economic development of the region. Serving as the Director of Economic Development for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation from 2021 to 2023. Mr. Testart’s commitment to education and language advocacy is evident in his role as Program Coordinator for Canadian Parents for French from 2020 to 2021. His efforts have extended to policy analysis within the Government of the Northwest Territories and serving as Deputy Sheriff from 2009 to 2014.

Academically, Kieron holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge (2004-2009) and a Certificate in Parliamentary Governance from McGill University (2017).

Married to Colleen, he is the proud father of Corbin, Eve, and Leander. In addition to his professional pursuits, Kieron finds joy in various hobbies and interests, including a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport, a love for film and theatre, grassroots activism, and an avid curiosity about international affairs.

Kieron's commitment to community extends beyond the political realm. As a dedicated volunteer, he has been actively involved in various capacities, including serving on the NWT Federal Liberal Association Board of Directors since 2011, contributing to the Liberal Party of Canada. His volunteer experience also includes a position on the NWT Branch Board of Directors for Canadian Parents for French from 2014 to 2020 and mentoring youth with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada in 2014-2015.

Range Lake Electoral District

Committees

Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, summer's clearly here. I think it's 28 degrees outside, and it has been for the last couple of days. And I was enjoying the beautiful summer weather and I thought to myself, for a moment not thinking of anything other than how beautiful it was, and then I thought, oh, there's going to be forest fires. And sure enough, we see smoke rolling in over the capital today, over other parts of the territory as well. And I think many Northerners, and I've seen it on social media, people texting me or talking to me that there's a lot of concern -- or people being...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Quick to want to get this done but, Mr. Speaker, I just want to -- one thing I want to do is recognize the honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and his 30 years of firefighter service, and I want to reassure the public and folks in the gallery, folks on the floor as well, that he has been supportive 100 percent of the way. He has responded positively, you know, in question period to emails. He's even sent me text messages saying, keep going. So he is fighting for firefighters, for first responders, and there should be no doubt in that. This is his...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 62)

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Yellowknife Centre that Bill 29, First Responders Workers' Compensation Amendment Act, be read for a second time.

This bill proposes to make amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act that expands presumptive disease coverage for firefighter cancers and heart diseases and creates new presumptive disease coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder cases affecting first responders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd just to recognize some firefighters in the audience, Justin -- I'm going to say this wrong -- Justin Zawyrucha, Zach Landry, Foster Bartel, Mike Bessette, Catlin Moffatt, Taylor Clarke, Tyler Gould, and my very favorite firefighter of all time, my dad Terry Testart. And I'd also like to recognize my mom, Maureen Marshall. I'm not sure if I've recognized her before in the chamber, but it's always good to see you guys and thank you for coming here as well. And if I missed any other firefighters in the audience, thank you very much for your service. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 61)

Yellowknife Range Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear that. I know the Minister is taking it seriously. I have no reason to doubt that. My intention is get the information out to my constituents. But if they do come back and find a problem with the school, who's going to pay for that? Will the Minister provide funds to replace whatever needs to be replaced to ensure there is safe, clean drinking water for the kids in my riding? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 61)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the news broke of the potential contamination in the Range Lake North School, my constituents have reached out to me who are nearby in the neighbourhood very concerned about the quality of their own drinking water. Can the Minister of education just reassure my constituents that there's no risk to contamination in the wider Range Lake neighbourhood. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 61)

Mr. Speaker, the last year hundreds of Northerners who rely on extended health benefits were suddenly confronted by new income thresholds driven by cuts which would determine who our health system would support with the costs of their medication and who were now on their own.

This so-called rationalization of a crucial health care benefit has caused serious anxiety and hardship. These income thresholds are unfair to my constituents struggling with a cost of living crisis alongside the fact that many are already paying out of pocket for other necessary health services like home care and...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 61)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present Bill 29, First Responders Workers' Compensation Amendment Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 61)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that pursuant to Rule 9.4(5)(a), the Government of the Northwest Territories table a comprehensive response to this report, including all recommendations, within 120 days, or at the earliest opportunity, subsequent to the passage of 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 61)

Mr. Speaker, Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife is the NWT’s largest healthcare facility and serves residents across the territory and Nunavut’s Kitikmeot region. The original 1988 hospital was replaced on the same site in 2019. The former facility, later named the Liwegoati Building in October 2023, was designated for future leasing.

On March 11, 2020, Members of the Legislative Assembly requested a performance audit to be conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project, which used a public-private partnership (P3) model.

The OAG...