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

Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 75)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the issue of offshore drilling, most Arctic nations have noted several concerns related to offshore drilling. The environmental sensitivity, remote locations with limited access, oil spill response, and winter Arctic conditions, limited Arctic class drilling and marine infrastructure, late season operating challenges such as limited daylight and ice conditions. The proposed solutions to these problems haven't often worked. I'd like to ask the Premier if he believes that industry is positioned well enough to safely conduct Arctic drilling in our waters or offshore of...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 75)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today on our last sitting day to address an issue that has been bothering me for quite some time. It is indisputable that the North has an abundant wealth of petroleum resources. Many of those are located offshore in the Beaufort Delta. What we have heard from the Premier is opposition to the arctic drilling ban, and while I have some questions about that, what I really want to know is what we are doing to support oil and gas development in the Northwest Territories.

I know that the Minister, in his state of the economy address, shall we call it that, earlier this...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

I'd like to thank the Minister for that commitment. I didn't even ask for it, but it's very good to see this is being taken seriously. I've been told by some members of our community that they are looking to leave the territory to find a more favourable environment for family unification. Currently, it is a lottery system. I wonder if the Minister has any information on if any of those lotteries were awarded to northern families and if the current process that the federal government operates is benefiting Northerners or if all those lottery visas are going to southern Canada.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you. Thank you for that. In the consultation around this bill, was Territorial Tobacco Products consulted on this and did the business provide comment on the purchase method? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Considerable progress has been made toward realizing our mandate priorities, but there is much room for improvement. We have set out broad directions for more focused attention. Specific comments and targeted areas for improvement are outlined in appendix A, which for convenience follows the format of our mandate. Performance on the individual items listed below is a detailed accounting of progress on our mandate and the state of our promises to the people. It bears repeating that we are fully accountable for this record as Regular Members and Cabinet. We must deliver on...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Standing Committee on Government Operations concluded a public hearing on Bill 15: An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act on April 6, 2017. A public clause-by-clause review was held on May 29, 2017. The committee heard from Mr. Roger Walker, owner and general manager of Territorial Tobacco Products, who raised concerns about tobacco tax collection that are outside of the scope of the bill. The committee understands the Department of Finance has taken Mr. Walker's concerns into consideration and has responded accordingly. The committee thanks Mr. Walker for his...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move to Item 12, reports of standing and special committees, on the orders of the day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I do appreciate the Minister's comments about limited resources. I guess my concerns around this are: I know that a study was done many years ago on a new courthouse facility, but it just seems like this thing keeps eating money, as there are constantly new concerns that seem to be coming forward. It is an office tower that has been modified into a court facility, and the judiciary is intertwined with the Department of Justice, which is not an appropriate separation of power.

There are many concerns here, so I guess my concern is: although I know we have limited fiscal...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, immigration enriches our communities, enhances our economy, strengthens our diversity, and grows our population, which is a very important goal for this government. Though the benefits of immigration are indisputable, the policies that govern immigration are often complex and difficult to make effective in various jurisdictions in Canada. Mr. Speaker, immigration is a shared responsibility and much of it is under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Our government operates its own nominee program through the Departments of Industry, Tourism and...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 74)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is this work expected to be completed within the next fiscal year? Thank you.