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 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. On the commercial fisheries industry supports there was $1.4 million earmarked in the last budget to go towards the development of a facility in Hay River. Yourself, Mr. Chair, would have raised this in question period. I wonder if the Minister can just clarify why that disappears in this budget and what the plan for that funding is. Has it been spent? How is this money being disposed of? Thank you.

Question 575-18(2): Northern-based Addictions Treatment Centre
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

The Minister has answered a number of my other questions. Of those options -- as he wanted to do. Out of those options, have we established a criteria for assessing these and what is that? Is it based on the number of people who are reporting successful treatment? Is it the number of patients processed? I'm just wondering how we're really understanding these options and how effective they are.

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 thank you Minister. That is a welcome commitment. You will note that the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning has also asked that this cut be foregone, so I will leave that with you for consideration. Another area of concern is, of course, the SEED program. I note that the SEED program has remained stable in funding, which is also welcome, but why have we not looked at enriching this program? Are all areas of the many buckets available for access, are they being fully subscribed, or are there some areas that have less interest than others? Thank you.

Acknowledgment 18-18(2): Passing of Jean Piro
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on January 30 of this year, my constituent Jean Piro passed away peacefully, only weeks away from her 94th birthday.

Mrs. Piro came to Yellowknife in 1947, and two years later she married her husband, local businessman Mike Piro. In her 70 years in the NWT, Jean had many jobs and was an active member of many clubs and associations and even brought a bowling alley to Yellowknife.

It is without a doubt that Jean's greatest achievement is the roots she laid down with her four children, Gordon, Brian, Lorie, and Sandra, and her many grandchildren.

Jean was one of...

Question 571-18(2): Territorial Electrical Power Generation Asset Expansion and Replacement
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess what I'm getting at, there's a growing infrastructure need for power generation. Our rates continue to go up. Our rate base is not increasing, given our low amount of population. Is this government going to prioritize power generation, and starting with the Taltson expansion. We know they've gone to Ottawa. We know they've had those discussions with our federal counterparts. Have we made any progress on that, and is the Minister prepared to announce a Taltson expansion deal by the end of this Assembly? Thank you.

Question 571-18(2): Territorial Electrical Power Generation Asset Expansion and Replacement
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

I would appreciate if the Minister could share that with us all. Does the Power Corporation have a plan to renew this infrastructure across the Territories?

Question 561-18(2): Public Engagement on Democratic Reform Initiatives
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Minister sits on the Standing Committee of Rules and Procedures; they're currently looking at a report that recommends 43 changes to our electoral system. Is the Minister saying that he categorically refuses to acknowledge any of those recommendations and will not be proceeding with any of those changes, or is he only talking about proportional representation?

I think it's clear he answers that question. I'm not asking him to be the Prime Minister of Canada here and address a national concern; I'm asking him to address issues here at home. We do have this...

Question 561-18(2): Public Engagement on Democratic Reform Initiatives
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Thank you to the Minister. I'm thankful that we don't have a position because I didn't know about it and I don't think my honourable friends know about it as well.

Does the Minister feel that this is a discussion that we could bring forth to Northerners? Certainly, there are fewer constitutional challenges with proportional representation or alternative voting here in our jurisdiction. So is the Minister considering public engagement on democratic reform in the Northwest Territories?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a former Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Tony Whitford. I'd also like to recognize, along with the many honourable Members here, the Daughters of the Vote; those who will come after us and take these seats. Thank you for letting us keep your seats warm.

I'd also like to recognize Mrs. Groenewegen and Ms. Lee for their many years of public service and their contributions to political life in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Question 571-18(2): Territorial Electrical Power Generation Asset Expansion and Replacement
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 52)

Also, in the process of acquiring the Northlands assets in Hay River, is the Minister, or the Power Corporation, or anyone, aware of the state of that infrastructure and whether it needs renewal in the short to immediate term? Are we going to be taking on additional costs in renewing that infrastructure? Is the Minister aware if those questions have been asked?