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 Kam Lake Environmental Assessment
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the namesake of my riding is Kam Lake. Bordering on both homes and businesses, Kam Lake is sometimes called the hidden jewel of Yellowknife. Its shores are now seeing new growth as the land is developed for new residential neighbourhoods where families will soon live. That is why I found it especially disturbing, Mr. Speaker, when my constituents brought it to my attention that Kam Lake is one of the few bodies of water within the city limits that has not been given an environmental assessment to assess its current arsenic levels. At least, that is what is...

Question 484-18(2): Kam Lake Environmental Assessment
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 45)

Thank you to the Minister; that's clear. Ultimately, who is responsible for the remediation of Kam Lake? The ongoing remediation by Newmont, not Miramar of the Con Mine property, is having an impact on Kam Lake. Who is responsible for the remediation of the lake as it relates to the remediation of the Con Mine project?

Question 484-18(2): Kam Lake Environmental Assessment
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. In my Member's statement, I talked about both remediation and environmental assessment for Kam Lake. Can the Minister tell me if an environmental assessment has been done for Kam Lake? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move to item 12 on the orders of the day, replies to the budget address. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Question 476-18(2): Improving Apprenticeship Opportunities
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the mandate commitments is this government will take steps to close the skills gaps using the Skills 4 Success strategic framework, by working with Aurora College, a renewed strategic plan refocusing support for post-secondary institutions in the NWT, improving outcomes from our community learning centres, strengthening the apprenticeship program, and improving our career development services. I want to take a look at this specific mandate commitment, Mr. Speaker, and ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment how the government is...

Question 476-18(2): Improving Apprenticeship Opportunities
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If there are some dollars that are required by the strategy, is the Minister able to indicate whether the government will have fiscal flexibility to invest in apprenticeships in the Northwest Territories as per our mandate commitment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 476-18(2): Improving Apprenticeship Opportunities
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 44)

Certainly, the Minister is correct that this is an area that needs a lot of work. I spoke to a business owner in my riding of Kam Lake who said he is ready to hire if only there are people for the jobs. I think it is imperative we get Northerners going. Can the Minister provide some more specifics on where this plan is? Have we started it? Are we going to see it early this year? Late this year? It doesn't sound like we have a very firm timeline for the development of this. I would like to get a little bit more detail if he could.

Member's Statement On Quebec City Mosque Attack
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Sunday, January 29th, six people were brutally murdered at the Sainte-Foy Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City, gunned down in a cowardly attack motivated by fear and hatred. This attack has shaken our country and I join the voices of millions of Canadians who categorically condemn this act of terror. Canada must be a place that is safe for anyone to practice their own religion.

Mamadou Tanou Barry, Abdelkrim Hassane, Khalid Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Azzeddine Soufiane and lbrahima Barry. These are the names of those who tragically lost their lives. I state their...

Question 476-18(2): Improving Apprenticeship Opportunities
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 44)

As this strategic plan is going to be coming into effect with the coming budget as well, is there money in the budget to help implement the strategy and support the apprenticeship program?

Question 466-18(2): Public Private Partnership Funding
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for obliging. I raise these questions because members of the public do have concerns about these P3s. So is there a way we could make P3s more transparent? I was really encouraged by the Minister of Public Engagement and Transparency's statement today. Is the Department of Finance working on a way to bring more of this information to light and allow the public to have a better sense of why we use P3s and why it's an effective tool for this government, and that they are being held accountable for the millions of dollars we're investing in...