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. The Northwest Territories geological survey has a significant decrease in its budget. Can the Minister speak to what that represents? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, committee would like to consider Tabled Document 6318(3), Main Estimates 20182019, with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment as the department under consideration. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We do have our territorial nominee program. Is there any overlap with the territorial nominee program administered through Education, Culture and Employment that we can use to expedite this process? Thank you.

Question 166-18(3): Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Project
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One thing we're learning from these pilot projects, this basic guaranteed income, is that the best way to help someone get out of poverty is to ensure that their cost of living is taken care of without a lot of strings attached or government oversight. It allows them to get a job. It allows them to pay for food. Right now, we're clawing back a lot of income. I just don't understand what the hold-up is. Can we take a sample size of recipients of income support and start modelling this kind of effort, even on a temporary basis so it's a low-cost approach that still gets...

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the Chair of Committee of the Whole leave the chair to report progress.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is a significant amount of the total used. I am pleased to hear that. Has the Minister received any feedback from industry on this program and the increase to it that he can share with the House today? Thank you.

Question 166-18(3): Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Project
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 16)

The issue is not: do we support those experiencing poverty through these programs. The nature of these programs are, as one of my honourable friends mentioned, a poverty trap. Once you get in this system, you can't get out. The Minister is clearly looking at this, but does he have any plans to move forward on a guaranteed income pilot project for the Northwest Territories?

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

Thank you. Given the fiscal challenges presented in this budget, is the Minister anticipating that there will be an opportunity to bring forward a supplementary appropriation, or are those resources spoken for? Thank you.

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...