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 41-18(2): Committee Report 4-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts – Completion of Interim and Final Public Accounts, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that the office of the comptroller general in the Department of Finance work with the Auditor General of Canada and GNWT departments, boards, and agencies to complete the interim and final public accounts at the earliest possible date each year and in time to meet statutory reporting deadlines and to seek the necessary extensions where those deadlines cannot be met. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Member's Statement on Public Engagement and Transparency in Government
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the honourable Members on the excellent work done in the interim report on the review of Standing Committee of Rules and Procedures on public engagement and transparency, and also the work done on revising the guiding principles and process conventions for consensus government. This attempt to bridge the ever-growing democratic deficit is a real achievement by the 18th Assembly, and symbolizes that we are truly attempting to evolve our public engagement into 21st century standards, which admittedly, took a little longer than other jurisdictions, but...

Committee Motion 39-18(2): Committee Report 3-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report – Response to Report within 120 Days, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Yes, Mr. Chair. I thank Ms. Green for her comments. Certainly, this is a very important area of oversight and accountability that is performed by parliamentary committees. The standing committee had an opportunity to meet with public accounts committees from across Canada at this year's annual conference. Much was learned, in particular the amount of work that these committees do to hold government accountable and understand how money is being spent. Of course, we found that our financial documents could have their readability improved in the interest of openness and transparency, which of...

Committee Motion 39-18(2): Committee Report 3-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report – Response to Report within 120 Days, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On November 1, 2016, the Standing Committee on Government Operations presented its report on the review of the Human Rights Commissions Annual Report for 2014-2015. In our review, we noted that the Human Rights Commission had contracted an independent review of the Human Rights Act and that modernization of the Act was recommended. The Standing Committee on Government Operations made two recommendations.

Question 461-18(2): Northern Polytechnic Proposal
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Can the Minister indicate how much this new campus will cost?

Question 461-18(2): Northern Polytechnic Proposal
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to return to my line of questioning to the new campus facility here in Yellowknife. I would like to ask the Minister of Education if he will direct his department to put the new campus into the capital planning process so we can start to get underway on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 450-18(2): Northern Polytechnic Proposal
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

I appreciate the Minister's answer, and that's exactly why we need to do more with Aurora College. We have a real labour market shortage and a shortage in education; however, I think Aurora College now is focused on a wide variety of issues. Recently, the government moved it from education to labour market development, and we've seen in the recent capital budget a new heavy operator training facility. So we are making some decisions about the future of Aurora College.

I guess my question then, Mr. Speaker, is: are we going to continue to make these decisions as they meet our needs and as...

Question 450-18(2): Northern Polytechnic Proposal
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke about the importance of building a knowledge economy in the North and the idea of transforming Aurora College into a polytechnic. I know that the Minister is engaged in a strategic review process working with the Aurora College leadership. I am interested to know when honourable Members, here in this House, will be able to see that strategic plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 45-18(2): Committee Report 4-18(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts – Plain Language Reporting on Public Accounts, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 42)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This motion makes specific reference to working with the Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency. We know that the Minister is currently engaged in the Open Government Plan, the Comprehensive Review to ATIPP, but I haven't heard if this work towards the public accounts has been included on that list of projects. I'm wondering if the honourable Member for Thebacha could respond to that.