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

Accountability and Oversight
Social Development
Public Accounts
Procedure and Privileges
Member Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am satisfied that the BDIC will have the resources they need to continue to do its work, but it strikes me as odd that we have done two years of cuts now to BDIC without a program review and without passing legislation to allow them to do things. It just seems like the cuts are coming ahead of other work that needs to get done, and the Minister is, in fact, relying on these program reviews and legislation in order to continue to support the operations of BDIC.

It just seems odd that, again, we are cutting first and fixing the cuts afterwards. It seems like those things...

Member's Statement On Basic Income Project
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken before in this House of the need for the NWT to implement the guaranteed basic income pilot in the life of this Assembly.

Whether it is a way to address income disparity or prepare for major changes in our economy, this innovative policy initiative is not only the right course for our government to take but, in all reality, an inevitable change we will have to implement even if this government chooses to remain idle and continue supporting paternalistic and punitive income support programs.

I've used historical examples of Dauphin, Manitoba, but...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I find it difficult when this is responded in this manner, to say, “Well, we have money, but I can't tell you what it is or where you can find it.” I would hope the Minister would have a more satisfactory answer, but I will remain unsatisfied.

On the manufacturing strategy, what is the progress-to-date on the consultation engagement and drafting of that strategy, the progress made to date? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you. The Minister also mentioned a program review and that the review would help identify the need to change legislation and other issues. Is the review going to be completed before the legislation comes forward in May and June? Thank you.

Question 153-18(3): Youth Council
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

I appreciate the Minister's answer, in particular around the Safe Schools bill. That's exactly what I am talking about. I think it's great to get information out to young people and to students in particular about how government works, about how bills are shaped and what they're going to do to our environment, to our economy. That's really what I am talking about.

So one thing that they've done at different levels of government is establish youth councils that can provide a standing body of advice for government. Is that something the Minister would consider?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Nothing further, thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you, and I can speak for myself, I am very much looking forward to that work, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate the Minister has made previous statements that he's looking forward to this work with committee as well, but it's just a little troubling when we are looking at the budget for the coming year and there is very little detail on revenue and spending on this issue that we know we have to deal with. So currently the board, or the commission, handles the enforcement of liquor licensing and those sorts of issues around liquor matters. The way forward document for cannabis is silent on who...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my niece, Neve Short. She is visiting us here today from the William McDonald School. [English translation not provided.] Merci, Monsieur le President.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am just looking for clarification on the borrowing plan. The first two columns here are the estimated balances of March 31, 2018, and then the estimated balance March 31, 2019. Could the Minister just explain the difference between the two? Is this the balance of the total debt, what it looks like currently, at the start of the fiscal year, and what it will look like at the end of the fiscal year? Is that correct?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I am glad my honourable friend raised this topic. One thing we've heard from the federal government in their projections of revenue and expenditure is that the cannabis revenues are going to be far less nationally, or federally I should say, than they will be to run the regulatory system that they need to enforce the new cannabis laws and regulations. So my question is: with the Liquor Commission or liquor system as the controlling agent for cannabis, what are the costs going to be? What are the current cost projections for all the new enforcement and resources we need...