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 54)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nothing further at this time.

Question 590-18(2): Land Use Plans
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

I inadvertently misspoke. I'm specifically asking about land use plans, so if the Minister can just reiterate if we have made progress on land use plans, which I believe are a separate issue from lands rights agreements.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The mandate commitment is quite broad in this area, but one of the lines is to support Aboriginal governments to build capacity in dealing with miningrelated activities, and I see we do have an Aboriginal mineral development support program and that funding has remained stable. Is that the total amount of funding in this budget to support Aboriginal governments in capacitybuilding exercises related to this industry? Thank you.

Question 583-18(2): Land Rights Agreements
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On an issue that's very near and dear to my honourable friends on this side of the House, the working group on this issue, it's only met once. I'm wondering if the Premier can advise when the next meeting will be and if the terms of reference allow this committee to give direction to the negotiations process, or if it is only a group that's being used to update my honourable friends? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Minister mentioned O and M funds. Can he just elaborate on that, please? Thank you.

Question 583-18(2): Land Rights Agreements
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

Language is important and I obviously have to be careful, as does the honourable Premier.

On the topic of land rights agreements, Mr. Speaker, there was the commitment to have a new offer to the Dehcho processed within 90 days. Was that offer made? I'll just leave it there. Was that offer made? Was a new offer given to the Dehcho in 90 days of the Premier taking office?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate those answers from the Minister. As the Minister knows, the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning has recommended an increase to the Mineral Incentive Program in the amount of $600,000 of new funding. The budget last year was $1,010,000 and we've seen that basically cut in half. Sorry, that's page 206. That's a sunset in the Mackenzie Valley development. So it will be an increase of $600,000 to the $400,000, bringing that total to $1 million. Is the Minister prepared to reinstate, or does the Minister have a reason not to reinstate, the grants and...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to recognize my partner, Ms. Colleen Wellborn, who is joining us today. It her first time seeing me in the House and it is long overdue. Thanks for being here.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, I have heard the Minister say he wants to support this industry and that we are doing a lot to support it and that our government has its own programs that shouldn't be held in contrast with other jurisdictions. Can the Minister point to any increased funding or a new program or a new initiative specifically that is designed to address the needs of our mining industry at a time when risk capital is at an all-time low and when there is much uncertainty in the Northwest Territories and when we see the lowest land tenure, mineral tenure, in the history of the...

Committee Motion 51-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Industry, Tourism and Investment, Deferral of Minerals and Petroleum Services Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 54)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is that the only source of marketing funding that is available from the department, that contribution to the NWT TTA? Are there any other avenues for destination marketing that are currently undertaken through this activity? Thank you.