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 67-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Deferral of Regional Operations Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Not to belabour this, but I assume that there are strings attached to this money and how it is used, or has it been given to us with broad latitude to develop the programming as we see fit? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to confirm the other part of my question, it is in the Minister's opinion that this will not impact this Assembly's ability to deliver on its legislative agenda? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 67-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Deferral of Regional Operations Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the Minister. That's a much clearer response. The workshops that we're providing to Indigenous governments or Aboriginal governments, whatever terminology we're using, are those designated authorities or are those self-governments? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would those devolutionrelated issues be related to legislative drafting? I am wondering if the Minister can provide details. Thank you.

Committee Motion 67-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Deferral of Regional Operations Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do understand that, but is the Minister willing to look at those kinds of solutions as a way to increase efficiency and improve service delivery? Thank you.

Question 656-18(2): Lobbyist Registry Proposal
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly not questioning the competency of our Cabinet Ministers. That is not what is at stake here. What is at stake here is maintaining the confidence that decision-making is publicly recorded. The many lobbyists of jurisdictions have lobbyist registries that provide a certificate that says what a lobbyist is going to be doing, who they are speaking to, and reports of communications between government and their clients. I guess I continue to fail to understand why this isn't required for our jurisdiction. We have a rather large budget at our disposal. How we...

Committee Motion 67-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Deferral of Regional Operations Activity, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee defer further consideration of the activity of regional operations under the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Main Estimates 2017-2018 on page 330 at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Question 656-18(2): Lobbyist Registry Proposal
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

Can the Minister elaborate on why the size of our jurisdiction does not require to know who is influencing government decision-making? Apart from a list of meetings that is published by choice, there is nothing in legislation that requires an increased level of scrutiny on who the government is talking to. We have industry here. We have the involvement of large corporations involved in the resource sector. Is this not a priority, that our citizens be informed of who our decision makers are meeting with when they are outside of this building? I would like to hear an answer from the Minister.

Committee Motion 66-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department of Justice, Deferral of Further Consideration of the Estimates for Justice, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

How many policy analysts or positions are with the department? I will start with that. Thank you.

Question 651-18(2): Arsenic Levels in Kam Lake
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 60)

All right. One more, Mr. Speaker, and thank you. If there was data that showed that the arsenic levels in Kam Lake were over 52 parts per billion, would a public health advisory be issued by the department and would people know in Kam Lake immediately that there was a concern and that they should avoid it?