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

Question 497-18(2): Expanded Role for GNWT Court Sheriffs
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Could the Minister be clear if it is 100 per cent or if we are still using the RCMP for a service that is not required? I think what I am getting across is: has an assessment been done if we are going to move the sheriff's office towards full coverage of court security and escorting services so we can get the RCMP back on the streets, keeping people safe, and allow our sheriffs to do a much-needed job that they are perfectly capable of doing, especially now that you have been given more resources to do that job?

Question 493-18(2): Territorial Agreement on Federal Health Care Transfers
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Premier for that answer. My last question, Mr. Speaker, is the Premier also made public statements to the effect that, if this deal remained at its current levels, there would have to be cuts made to continue to support the healthcare system. The new sources of funding that he has previously addressed in this line of questioning, is that enough to avoid the need for cuts to pay for decreases in the health system? Do we have enough money flowing in that we don't need to make any cuts or adjustments in order to maintain a quality healthcare system in...

Question 493-18(2): Territorial Agreement on Federal Health Care Transfers
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Could the Honourable Premier give a few more details than just that? The deal that we accepted is still less money than we have enjoyed previously on -- even with the additional mental health funding and homecare funding, it's still less than we would have received under the old agreement, so can the Premier be specific about how we're winning on this deal?

Mr. Testart's Reply
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 46)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the honourable Members who have spoken before me, both today and tomorrow. Their comments are important to hear.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Finance delivered the muchanticipated 20172018 Budget Address, setting the stage for the coming weeks of budget deliberations in this House. It is a relief that this information is at long last made public so that our constituents can now know the full extent of what the government is proposing to do with their tax dollars and provide the programs and services they have come to expect.

As honourable...

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister. I appreciate that this may not be, in fact, our responsibility, and that we are trying to find the responsible parties. The remediation process also involved a water license, and I wondered if the department took a position when Newmont applied for that water license for the remediation process. Has the government taken a position, or been involved with the water licensing of Newmont for the Kam Lake remediation? Thank you.

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

Does the department have any awareness of arsenic levels in the waters of Kam Lake itself? I believe there was testing done on Grace Lake, so this would specifically be about Kam Lake, and any potential arsenic or contaminants in the water.

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...