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 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, and Bill 20, Ombud Act. Mr. Speaker, the committee wishes to report that Bill 18 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole and that Bill 20 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

The Minister talked about taking immediate action when he took over this portfolio. He has talked about the May audit. Clearly, these concerns from front-line staff and the totality of concerns are significant and have been present for a long time. When was the Minister first made aware that Child and Family Services was worse off now than it was in 2014?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

No, sorry.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee would like to take into consideration Tabled Document 215-18(3), Capital Estimates, 2019-2020, and to consider opening remarks for the capital estimates in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you to the Minister. I would like to know: what is the total budget allocation to this training? Do we have those details yet for the pilot program?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, further to my Member's statement, there was a prominent case of cultural bias in the Northwest Territories, in the death of Hugh Papik, an elder in Aklavik. A subsequent report made 16 recommendations to improve services delivery. Can the Minister of Health and Social Services give an update to this House on the progress the department has made in implementing those recommendations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to see a large infrastructure investment being brought before the House. I think infrastructure is the easiest way to create growth and jobs in the short term, and, if the projects are targeted in a good way, they can be a strategic investment in the future of all our communities and the future of our economy.

My only real concerns is actually the large size of this budget, and my colleague the honourable Member from Yellowknife North spoke well to this point. If you look at the percentage of infrastructure carry-overs from 2002-2013, the average was 32...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, finally, one of the issues is ensuring there's a process to respond to patient and family concerns related to issues that they hear from front-line medical services is a process to register those complaints and deal with them. Has that been established in the health authority?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

That case and other cases are well-canvassed in the media, including the case of my constituent that I mentioned earlier. I think they are subject to discussion in this House. The cultural safety and training piece is probably the largest part of these recommendations. Can the Minister speak to some of the details of the cultural training program that is being developed by the department?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 43)

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, a young Indigenous woman went into Stanton Territorial Hospital complaining of extreme pain. The pain was so bad that, in the emergency room, she doubled over in agony and was curled up in the fetal position crying. It was then a nurse told this young woman that she was being dramatic before calling a security guard over to force the woman to stand up.

Medical records reveal staff indicated her unnecessarily hyperventilating and dramatically yelling. Only after this humiliation was the young woman diagnosed with 8.3-millimeter kidney stones, as well as strep...