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 20)

The question was about capital, but the Minister has moved on to another one of PDAC's concerns, which is access to land, which follows land availability, access to geoscience information, and the regulatory environment. I would like to ask questions about the quality of geoscience information that is available. I know this government has made significant improvements to geoscience. Can the Minister speak to that, and what is the feedback from stakeholders at PDAC on the quality and accessibility of our geoscience data?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommend that the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs make a submission to the Financial Management Board requesting that the Financial Management Board establish a limit on any cumulative deficit or surplus in the Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Fund and, furthermore, that this limit be made public, shared with the Standing Committee on Government Operations, and reported upon annually by the department in its year-end reporting on the fund. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With your indulgence, I will also speak to Bill 1, as it is the subject of this report. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to report on its review of Bill 1: the Western Canada Lottery Act.

Bill 1, sponsored by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, repeals the existing Western Canada Lottery Act, and replaces it with a new act to establish a Northwest Territories Lottery Commission under the direction of the Minister, with the authority to enter into agreements with the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and that is good news. What is the government's position on the statement of claim that the North Slave Metis have filed with the federal government? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

I think that is a sound policy position for this government to take on this issue of reconciliation, but, you know, it is fairly self-evident from the court cases that have gone on from the position of the North Slave Metis Alliance that they are very distinct from the NWT Metis Nation. They are two different entities and should be given equal treatment from both this government and federal government in the Metis agreement-in-principle. So is the Premier willing to open up those discussions and allow the North Slave Metis Alliance to pursue their own approach rather than being forced into the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Bill Enge, president of the North Slave Metis Alliance, Mr. Mark Whitford, vice-president of the North Slave Metis Alliance, Mr. Alan Harman, secretary-treasurer of the North Slave Metis Alliance, and Mr. Arnold Enge, director with the North Slave Metis Alliance. Thank you very much for being here today.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no other opening comments besides the comments I made in the review committee's report that just occurred. I believe that we are ready to proceed with review of the bill. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs develop a funding policy which provides clear guidance as to the funding eligibility requirements, to guide the disbursement of lottery funding under the new Western Canada Lottery Act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to see this legislation before us today. It's been a long time coming. Since the election of the federal government in 2015, it's been very clear that the agenda of this new national government has been to legalize cannabis. It's something that Members on this side of the House have raised a number of times, both on the floor and behind closed doors, that this was an important issue of public policy that needed to be taken with the utmost seriousness by this government. It took a long time to get there, Mr. Speaker. It took a very long time, and finally...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 19)

I just want to clarify so the Premier understands me clearly, but currently there has not been a process launched for the North Slave Metis Alliance. They have been asked. The only avenue for them forward is to join the Metis nation AIP. So what I am asking the Premier is if he will start the process of fully recognizing their rights with a strength-of-claim assessment so that they can move on with any claim they might make to their own agreement, their own self-government, agreement, their own deal?