Kieron Testart

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

Member Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is the first that I have been aware of a shift in security requirements at the facility. Can I get some clarification on that? Are we elevating the security requirements at the facility as a result of changes to the Corrections Act, changes to policies? What exactly is the source of the shift? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Thank you. The Minister is aware of this issue. I am asking the Minister how he is addressing this issue, departmental resources. I will be specific. With the elimination of a dedicated rec officer, and now the expectation that all corrections officers will perform recreational programming at the facility, what training resources had been allocated to ensure officers are trained to offer recreational programming to all offenders? I am not talking about supervising a basketball game. I am talking about the same level of service that they receive from dedicated recreation program officers at the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Has that number increased from last year's budget?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am just wondering: what is the total allocation for this budget for corrections officer training? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

The question was about capital, but the Minister has moved on to another one of PDAC's concerns, which is access to land, which follows land availability, access to geoscience information, and the regulatory environment. I would like to ask questions about the quality of geoscience information that is available. I know this government has made significant improvements to geoscience. Can the Minister speak to that, and what is the feedback from stakeholders at PDAC on the quality and accessibility of our geoscience data?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment spoke of his recent attendance at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference, otherwise known as PDAC. Can he update the House as to his experience there and whether or not we are going to see some results from the conference? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It seems like this issue could have been avoided if those changes were properly communicated. My understanding was, again, that this was a cost-cutting measure and not a result of security changes. What is the department doing to ensure that those kinds of changes that are altering the duties of correctional officers who are working at that facility are effectively communicated and understood? I know the deputy minister spoke to his belief that the officers are better informed, but what policies have they put in place to ensure those operational changes are properly...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. What recreational programming was being provided by the recreational program officer? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, training concerns were identified as a key issue by staff at the correctional facility, who contacted Regular Members raising their concerns. How is the Minister addressing those concerns around staff training in this budget? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 20)

Mr. Chair, the issue of correctional officer training has been raised in this Assembly before. It has been a concern of many of the staff at the facility. The Minister is quite aware of this. I am surprised that he does not have those numbers here. Can he give an approximation of the resources dedicated to training in this budget? Thank you.