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, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you to the Minister for that answer. What is the nature of this investment? I am sorry if I missed that. We are not talking about building a new building, here? Are we making additional space to an existing asset? What are we approving, here? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Mr. Chair, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 383-18(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2017-2018, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 383-18(2) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 804-18(2): Territorial Immigration Policies and Programs
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly encourage and potentially facilitate those discussions with the Minister's department. We have an immigration framework and action plan that's currently in development as of this year. Kind of what I was getting at with the last one: will the Minister find a place for family reunification in that framework, even if it is just advocacy items that will go to the federal government? Will he make it clear when we develop that strategy that family reunification is on the agenda, even if it is not directly our responsibility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we rise and report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 804-18(2): Territorial Immigration Policies and Programs
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

I'd like to thank the Minister for that commitment. I didn't even ask for it, but it's very good to see this is being taken seriously. I've been told by some members of our community that they are looking to leave the territory to find a more favourable environment for family unification. Currently, it is a lottery system. I wonder if the Minister has any information on if any of those lotteries were awarded to northern families and if the current process that the federal government operates is benefiting Northerners or if all those lottery visas are going to southern Canada.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you. Thank you for that. In the consultation around this bill, was Territorial Tobacco Products consulted on this and did the business provide comment on the purchase method? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Report 12-18(2): Report on the Progress Review of the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Considerable progress has been made toward realizing our mandate priorities, but there is much room for improvement. We have set out broad directions for more focused attention. Specific comments and targeted areas for improvement are outlined in appendix A, which for convenience follows the format of our mandate. Performance on the individual items listed below is a detailed accounting of progress on our mandate and the state of our promises to the people. It bears repeating that we are fully accountable for this record as Regular Members and Cabinet. We must deliver on...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Standing Committee on Government Operations concluded a public hearing on Bill 15: An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act on April 6, 2017. A public clause-by-clause review was held on May 29, 2017. The committee heard from Mr. Roger Walker, owner and general manager of Territorial Tobacco Products, who raised concerns about tobacco tax collection that are outside of the scope of the bill. The committee understands the Department of Finance has taken Mr. Walker's concerns into consideration and has responded accordingly. The committee thanks Mr. Walker for his...

Acknowledgment 25-18(2): Dr. Matthew Scarborough, PhD Graduate of Cambridge University
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move to Item 12, reports of standing and special committees, on the orders of the day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I do appreciate the Minister's comments about limited resources. I guess my concerns around this are: I know that a study was done many years ago on a new courthouse facility, but it just seems like this thing keeps eating money, as there are constantly new concerns that seem to be coming forward. It is an office tower that has been modified into a court facility, and the judiciary is intertwined with the Department of Justice, which is not an appropriate separation of power.

There are many concerns here, so I guess my concern is: although I know we have limited fiscal...