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

Question 89-18(3): Mineral Resources Act
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 8)

I'm just going to remind the Minister that the GNWT is in a revenue crisis right now, a massive shortfall that is unpredicted at this time around. It seems like now is the time to do it. Will the Minister reconsider that in light of a significant shortfall in revenues?

Question 89-18(3): Mineral Resources Act
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment made a Minister's statement, and I will quote from it: "Royalties directly impact the profitability and viability of resource development projects in the NWT" and that, "further, we will not be reviewing our resource royalty regime as part of the work on the proposed act."

One of the stated public goals of the act is to create a cuttingedge mineral resources regime in the Northwest Territories. If royalties affect our competitiveness so much, why is the Minister indicating that we are not going to address...

Question 77-18(3): Transparency in Resource Royalties
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 7)

Government.

Question 77-18(3): Transparency in Resource Royalties
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 7)

I will remind the honourable Minister that we're the ones who make the rules for the industry. They don't make the rules for themselves. The industry seems to be quite fine to have this information published on a federal website which includes payments made to the GNWT and to Indigenous organizations within the Northwest Territories. If he is not willing to move forward on legislation, will he begin the work on a clear annual statement on how much royalties were received; how much were shared with each Indigenous group; and that this report be tabled annually in the Legislative Assembly? Will...

Member's Statement on Winter Olympics
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke on the importance of the arts and the need for further investment, but let it be known that that does not take away from my deep admiration for those who participate in sport, physical activity, and recreation. It is on that note that I would like to give special recognition to those Northerners who are participating in the largest display of athletic about in the world, the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Sport brings the world together in celebration of excellence.

It is with the deepest pride and greatest pleasure...

Question 77-18(3): Transparency in Resource Royalties
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to be clear. We're not talking about reviewing the royalty regime. We're talking about publishing the financial transparency around the economic contributions the mining industry is making to the Northwest Territories and to this government. This is something the mining industry does in other jurisdictions. This is something the Chamber of Mines assists with in other jurisdictions. I'm asking the Minister of Transparency if he can help be a leader on fiscal transparency as it relates to the extractive sector, either through legislation, either through annual...

Question 77-18(3): Transparency in Resource Royalties
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 7)

I always appreciate an impassioned defense of secrecy from the Minister of Public Engagement and Transparency. The Chamber of Mines here in the Northwest Territories currently produces reports and does this work to roll up royalty information. The Minister is not willing to bring forward legislation or table a report. Will he at least give a contribution to the Chamber of Mines to do this work on his behalf?

Question 77-18(3): Transparency in Resource Royalties
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased to see the honourable Member for Yellowknife North speaking about very important issues to me, both mining and transparency. I would like to ask the Minister of Transparency some questions around transparency over the royalty regime and the benefits the mining sector is paying into the Northwest Territories.

In the federal context, there is a piece of legislation called the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act, and this act has created a federal government website that you can look up mining companies and see what payments they had been making to...

Minister's Statement 19-18(3): Aurora College Foundational Review
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, that Minister's Statement 19-18(3) delivered by the Honourable Alfred Moses regarding the Aurora College Foundational Review progress be moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 1: Western Canada Lottery Act
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 1, the Western Canada Lottery Act. Bill 1 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on October 20, 2017, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review.

Today, I would like to advise the House of the committee's wish to extend our review of the bill with the intention of reporting back to the House on or before February 28, 2018. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Rule 75(1)(c) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest...