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

Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you. So how much funding then -- adult education funding is attached to that MOU in dollar terms? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've had a year of this government to get a move on on these signature -- I think the Premier's been on record saying these are the signature pieces of this legislation. Again, I'll ask can we get these LPs in place by let's say the May/June sitting so we could actually see all of them passed this year. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Yeah, thank you for the clarification. I don't know why I had the 800 in my mind. But that's good to hear. I think the fact that Nunavut doesn't have one is the reason why we should be leading this conversation because, you know, if they don't need the quota right now -- clearly they don't -- then we could make use of theirs until they're at a time to be ready. So I really encourage the Minister to have more than a conversation, put a plan together, and really aggressively lobby, and lean on the provinces too because, you know, here's a secret. The provinces understand the territories are...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members have been eagerly awaiting the Premier's promised plan -- promised suite of anticrime legislation - the Trespass Act, SCAN Act, Civil Forfeiture Act. It's still on the books. My constituents are eagerly awaiting it. My colleagues are eagerly awaiting it. Can the Premier give us a firm time when these bills are going to be introduced? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you. So if in this current intake for the 90 -- the 90 spots, if there's 200 applications or 500 applications or whatever it may be -- because there's going to be more than available spots. That's the predicament we find ourselves in. If there's a change in quota, are we going to do the same thing where people who apply to this intake are held over in case there's an expansion of quota in the future? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the federal appropriation doesn't flow, what will be the fate of the private equity money, the $75 million? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you. And thank you to the Minister for that. This is absolutely about people, not about numbers, and I appreciate that recognition. That being said, are we -- is this hangover thing, is it a policy that people who apply, you know, during the intake but there's not enough spots are held over to the next year; is that how it's always been done? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if there is signs of abuse against dogs or, you know, dogs being treated poorly in communities, what are the enforcement mechanisms available to the Minister to prevent that in our communities? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker -- Madam Chair. Oh, that's not like me. Long night.

I also have questions about the NTNP program. So there's 60 applications that have been held over from the previous fiscal year, and -- or sorry, sorry, from the last intake. Not fiscal, but the last intake. And that leaves 90 new applications. Why -- given the kind of very serious situation we're in where the quota's been cut in half, there's lots of people with uncertainty, why are we not basing the intake on, you know, true equity where there's a level playing field for everyone and then when they evaluate the...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs how his department supports the administration of the Dog Act in the Northwest Territories. This is an important piece of legislation around cruelty to dogs in our communities. It's the only piece of animal welfare legislation in the Northwest Territories, and the SPCA does a lot of work to promote and protect healthy -- health and wellness in dogs and help their owners out. So how is the department helping communities meet their needs towards the administration of the Dog Act? Thank you.