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

Member's Statement on Territorial Carbon Pricing Scheme
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 65)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to speak to an issue that my honourable friends have brought up today, which is the cost of living and helping Northerners make ends meet, but also the coming cost pressures and expectations that Northerners have on their government.

We acknowledge that one part of living in the North that is so spectacular is our pristine environment that is unparalleled across the country and in the world. You know, we need to look at ways to promote a healthy environment and also a healthy economy. Across the world, really, carbon pricing has become a...

Committee Motion 85-18(2): Committee Report 8-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Annual Reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner - Tabling of Health Information Act Guide
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 65)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Minister of Health and Social Services table the Health Information Act Guide in the Legislative Assembly and provide a televised public briefing to the committee on the Health Information Act and its impacts on the rights of those who access healthcare in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 83-18(2): Committee Report 8-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Annual Reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner - Bringing Into Force of a Modernized ATIP
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 65)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories take the necessary steps to ensure that a modernized Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act is brought into force before the end of the 18th Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 77-18(2): Concurrence of Tabled Document 315-18(2): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2016-2017, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I misspoke. It is around 5 per cent, $20 million dollars’ variance, or amount exceeding the estimate, so same question to the Minister. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

I'd like to thank both Ministers for their clarification. Nothing further.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to clarify the establishment of the NWT Organ and Tissue Donation Registry. When is the expected go-live date of that project now that we are securing funding for it?

Question 699-18(2): Foundational Review of Aurora College
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

I agree with the Minister. It's not about two programs. It's about more than $30 million we spend on post-secondary that, by everyone's assessment, is not working but is still something students need in the Northwest Territories. So I am pleased that we are taking this seriously, but, again, the pace of this is frustrating. I think these are not new issues. These are issues we were well aware of going in. In fact, when we began the mandate process, through business plans these issues have been raised again and again and again.

The statement that the Minister made also spoke of a Post-Secondary...

Question 699-18(2): Foundational Review of Aurora College
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like follow up with the Minister on this Aurora College next steps statement he made this morning around the foundational review. My honourable friend from Hay River North made some comments about this, but one of the things that surprised me is that the terms of reference for the foundational review are not yet known. My question for the Minister today is: the strategic plan, which the department and the college have been working on for a while, how is that different from the foundational review? I will start with that. Thank you.

Committee Motion 77-18(2): Concurrence of Tabled Document 315-18(2): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2016-2017, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 77-18(2): Concurrence of Tabled Document 315-18(2): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 3, 2016-2017, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just on the health, the $22.9 million of the supplementary estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services: year on year, it's typically around a 20 per cent overage as the average that the Department of Health and Social Services exceeds its projected estimates, and committee looked into this, and this is not in recent years; it's over a range of years. It's a historical fact that the health department consistently exceeds its estimates.

So why do we continue to budget this way when we do have an average forecast of when estimates are going to be exceeded? If...