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

Committee Motion 74-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Finance, Deferral of Directorate Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I neglected to ask about the NWT Child Benefit, so in the department total I'll just ask some questions about this.

So this is a new change that's coming forward again with the passage of a piece of legislation that is currently with committee at second reading in this House, and it will increase the benefits payable through the fund or, sorry, through the credit. How many families are going to benefit from the enhanced NWT child benefit? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

No, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 74-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Finance, Deferral of Directorate Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So this does suppose the passage of Bill 15? Yes. Sorry, it pre-supposes the passage. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

Although we are not directly referring to the section, the Public Utilities Board on the org chart is under the Minister responsible, who in turn is under the Premier. Does that have any kind of structural implications? The independence of the office is obviously established by legislation, but does the Premier have direction over the Minister responsible when issuing policy direction to the Public Utilities Board or does policy direction come from the Minister responsible? Thank you.

Committee Motion 74-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Finance, Deferral of Directorate Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I look forward to the discussion paper. Nothing further, thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I think my colleagues have spoken very, very well on this and on the achievements of the department today.

One thing, we are, of course, looking at a brand new department of the Executive that is now merging with previous Aboriginal Affairs, and I do want to commend the name change, Executive and Indigenous Affairs, bringing our language terminology in line with the new national standard, which I think shows a great deal of respect and sympathy towards Indigenous peoples across the country and of course here in the Northwest Territories. I think there will still be...

Committee Motion 74-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Finance, Deferral of Directorate Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

That is a great review. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Finally, the mandate commitment to lower taxes on small businesses, how is the department doing with that? Thank you.

Committee Report 8-18(2): Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Annual Reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2014-2015, and 2015-2016 Annual Reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and commends it to the House.

The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (ATIPP) Act came into force on December 31, 1996. The purpose of this legislation is to promote government accountability by balancing access to government information with the protection of individual privacy rights related to that information.

Under the act, the...

Committee Motion 74-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Finance, Deferral of Directorate Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to the Minister for the clarification. Is there a hard and fast reason for doing that rather than putting tax into regulations so we would have flexibility in adjusting tax rates to meet the needs of economic conditions? We will start there. Thank you.

Question 668-18(2): Yellowknife Airport Improvement Plan
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 62)

I and my constituents eagerly await the Minister's plan to stop the pocketing of this fee. Further to his statement, the Minister also made reference to the Yellowknife Airport currently employing approximately a thousand people and that there is an opportunity to generate more jobs. How many direct jobs will the proposed airport plan create?