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 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will that plan include the private sector regulations or the private store, private sale regulations that this government committed to during the debates on the legislation? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

I didn't ask have we made a dent in one hour. I asked how we are monitoring to ensure this process works. There was a commitment to bring forward a costed plan. There is still no costed plan. The Minister thinks this is a laughing matter; I think Northerners think this is a serious matter. So where is the plan, when is he going to bring it forward, and when is this side of the House going to be able to see it and evaluate it to make sure it protects our communities?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a Page from the Kam Lake riding, Juliet Stephen. Thank you for all your work here today supporting the Members. I would also like to recognize Mr. Keith MacNeill, a fine member of the Kam Lake constituency. Finally, my constituency assistant, Mr. Michael Burchill, who recently moved to the Northwest Territories, and it's great to have him help in my office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly not questioning the Minister's judgement or the advice he receives from the quality staff in the public service. My question is: why are the regulations worded in a way that is putting -- I mean, the Minister is telling us now, Mr. Speaker, that he is not sure if this business is going to continue to boom or if it is going to go down. It doesn't sound like the Minister is aware of the economic viability of cannabis in the Northwest Territories. How are business owners or entrepreneurs who look at these regulations given comfort that the Minister is not...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

Quoting from the first part of the vendor designation section of the regulations, the Minister needs to be satisfied that "the operation of a cannabis store by the person would be economically viable."

The Minister is going to determine the market conditions before the market is allowed to determine those conditions. I don't know of any other business that is run this way or permitted this way. Can the Minister clarify what these regulations mean by economic viability of a potential applicant?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

I am glad the Premier shares my interest in this matter and agrees that it is important. When he does get this information from the United States or through the federal government, will he bring that report back to the House or at least make it available on government websites or through some sort of public statement? Can he commit to that?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a number of constituents have approached me with concerns around international travel now that cannabis is legalized, particularly into the United States. I am wondering if the Premier, in his role as Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, which includes intergovernmental relations, has had any conversations with the federal government as to how this is going to work? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

The Minister is giving us elements of a plan, components of a plan, components of the regime, but not a fully costed, articulated plan that was voted on in this House as a recommendation of the committee's report and committed to in writing by the Minister. The Minister knew in 2015 this was coming. We didn't do any substantial work until 2017. There was plenty of time to get things together. When is that plan going to come forward? I don't want to hear elements of the plan; I want to see a costed plan.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I talked about all of the good things the government has done as it relates to legalization. Now, I'm afraid I have to ask questions around what we're still lacking in our framework.

Currently the prices that we've all seen today on the online stores, and the long line-ups at cannabis and liquor stores, the price is around two to four times what the estimated street market is. This does not appear to be making a dent in the black market. Other Members have raised these concerns, so I would like to ask the Minister of Finance how he...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 39)

Mr. Speaker, today marks an important day in the history of Canada and how we as a nation address the social and physiological issue of addiction.

Ninety-five years of cannabis prohibition has failed to achieve the ends it sets out to achieve. It has not curbed illegal markets, nor has it righted social wrongs. Prohibition does not ensure that communities are safe; rather, it opens them up to gangsters and bootleggers who are accountable to no one, who cut their products with toxins, and all too often it is accompanied by violence. Bootlegging is a problem that affects us all in the NWT. The...