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, Mr. Chair. Under community health programs, if I may question that area, there is a line for sobering centre, Yellowknife, $100,000. I am just wondering if the Minister can provide details on this project to date? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee would like to consider the following matters. Tabled Document 383-18(2), Supplementary Estimates, (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2017-2018; Tabled Document 384-18(2), Supplementary Estimates, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2017-2018; Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act; Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, No. 2. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you again to the Minister. It is very concerning when members of the community bring these concerns forward and are talking about leaving the territory. In other provincial jurisdictions that have more robust provincial programs to support nominations, the federal government is taking their cues from that. I think particularly of Quebec, which has a very robust system to attract francophones and anglophones into the province.

Would the Minister commit to starting that work here, in the Northwest Territories, not just a conversation with the federal Minister, which is important, but also...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that response. The Minister acknowledged the community partners that the honourable Member for Hay River North brought up in his line of questions and further recognizes the hard work done by the clients to heal themselves, but at the same time we know that the RFP was not taken up; that it was a rejection of that by those community partners and that as much as we, the Minister, has given kudos to these individuals who have worked hard to rehabilitate themselves is the recognition that only a small number of men. The message is a bit confusing, but does the...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Minister, in his statement this morning, the statement we are discussing right now, seeks cooperation and support of all Members of this Legislative Assembly to move forward. I think that has been a challenging proposition for many of us. The merits of this program are undeniable. I have a few questions. I would like to thank my honourable friends on this side of the House for canvassing well the concerns of both the community and honourable Members on the many questions that they are still waiting on for this program.

The Minister said that all counsellors will be...

Tabled Document 388-18(2): Timeline of Cannabis-Related Issues in Canada from 2015 to 2017
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following two-page document entitled "Timeline of Cannabis-Related Issues in Canada from 2015 to 2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 799-18(2): Territorial Cannabis Legislation and Regulation
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

I guess what I am getting at, Mr. Speaker, is that beyond those principles, there are a number of extremely technical issues. I will ask the Minister this: what is the department's approach to communities that wish to prohibit the sale and use of marijuana products in their communities? How has the working group addressed that issue, and have they made any recommendations to the Minister?

Recorded Vote
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the chair of Committee of the Whole leave the chair and report progress.

Question 799-18(2): Territorial Cannabis Legislation and Regulation
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Merci, Monsieur le President. [English translation not provided.] It is just as clear that the presence of a cannabis working group means the government knew the regulations would be needed. I ask today if the Minister could provide the terms of reference of the cannabis working group, including the date the working group was established? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 106-18(2): Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Education Act – Amendment to Clause 4 (re: Mandatory Review of Hours of Instruction after Three Years by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment), carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 73)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess we will try this again with different language. The intention here is to ensure that there is a mandatory review of this pilot project that is enshrined in legislation. It is very clear that the many concerns that have led us to such an extensive debate around these issues are well reflected once the pilot project has run its course.

This amendment will enshrine the process that the Minister of Education has laid out in numerous public statements into the act itself and will allow both the government and the committee to work together to ensure that the objectives...