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. Under the activity description on page 205, it indicates that this activity includes marketing and promotion of NWT mineral and petroleum resources to attract investment in exploration, development, and production for the benefit of all NWT residents. I am wondering if the Minister can identify the total marketing budget or total dollar amount of resources attached to marketing our resources to attract investment in exploration? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health and Social Services, Deferral of Further Consideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you. Is ITI's sole involvement in the development of this plan setting reduction targets for BDIC? Thank you.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health and Social Services, Deferral of Further Consideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The reduction of the BDIC annual contribution in the amount of $477,000, what is the rationale for that cut? If the Minister can answer. Thank you.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health and Social Services, Deferral of Further Consideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and before I go any further I just want to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Tom Jensen, the Deputy Minister for ITI. I believe this is his first appearance as a witness in this Chamber.

There's a lot to cover in this section. We've talked a bit about SEED. I'd like to talk a bit about the agricultural strategy. We heard from the Department of Lands -- the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment heard from the Department of Lands, and they indicated that there may be some difficulty in this department's ability to properly access land for agricultural...

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health and Social Services, Deferral of Further Consideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think that this is a good example of one of our budgets where we see a lot of numbers in the Minister's opening comment that have been unchanged for many, many years. The SEED Program, the Mineral Incentive Program, these are very useful subsidies to industry that remain stubbornly resistant to investment from, again, a government that's primarily driven by fiscal reduction targets and fiscal strategy rather than investment in growth, which is the source of the great budget debate we find ourselves in.

There are some troubling cuts. There are cuts to the Business...

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health and Social Services, Deferral of Further Consideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If this fund was enriched, could the commercial fishery expand their operations outside of the summer and increase their capacity and their productivity with a greater subsidy? Thank you.

Question 582-18(2): Aurora College Teacher Education Program
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

I do appreciate that the Minister is taking a firm position on this, and arguing that position. Just as a matter of course, I do not agree with it. I think if we are going to find those redundancies that we can live with, they should be redundancies that are based, or reductions that are based on evidence. Again, we see that the Minister does not have that information at his fingertips. The strategic planning process, what is the criteria for that? Is the criteria for that broad statements of fiscal responsibility and political direction like that, or is it a strategic plan that is based on...

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health and Social Services, Deferral of Further Consideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is that all-season operations or only summer operations? Thank you.

Question 582-18(2): Aurora College Teacher Education Program
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today, my honourable friend, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh asked about a program evaluation for the Teacher Education Program. I'd like to ask the Minister of Education: has a program evaluation been done, yes or no? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 49-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Health and Social Services, Deferral of Further Consideration of the Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So accounting mechanics aside, the intention is to invest this money in the commercial fishery in Hay River? Thank you.