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

Member Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I suppose there's some competing strategic priorities here. But given that our government's mandate also includes diversifying our economy, investing in post-secondary institutions such as Dechinta and College nordique, is there a way we can provide more? Are we picking winners and losers here? Is it Aurora College versus other institutions or are we providing equal support for all our post-secondary partners in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm interested to know more about the heavy equipment operator facility for Aurora College. We've been told that Aurora College is developing its strategic plan and that, you know, the repurposing of this to a vocational school, which is why it's housed in Labour Development and Standards, is the intended course. But the strategic plan is not yet completed.

So are we developing capital for the college under the old strategic plan, under the old purpose or are we waiting to invest in whatever we want the school to become? It just seems odd to invest major capital into a...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Minister of Education can share those application letters with the francophone community and with the other Members here before January-February. If we can see those applications, that is can everybody here and up there see those applications? [Translation ends].

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think that ground is well trod. I do think that partnership is a really unique opportunity given the role that Heritage Canada can play in this kind of funding, and I encourage the department to continue to collaborate with the francophone community for this, and to perhaps to look towards opportunities for other heritage sites, such as museums or cultural centres or services and infrastructure that could be useful to the francophone community.

My next errata question on this page was around the junior kindergarten upgrades. Are these upgrades tied to the announcement...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

[Translation] Given that Heritage Canada could pay up to 50 per cent of costs for shared spaces like a gymnasium, home economics, and given that Heritage Canada can pay up to 100 per cent of community spaces, such as the pre-kindergarten, daycare and offices for organizations, why does the Minister of Education not take advantage of this opportunity and to ask for additional funding right away, so to finally meet the needs of the Francophone community? [Translation ends]

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just to follow up on some of the comments raised by my colleague, Mr. O'Reilly, on the Ecole Allain St-Cyr issues. The Minister spoke about new designs for expansions and things of that nature above and beyond and finding new resources for the school. How many schools in the Northwest Territories are eligible to receive funding from Heritage Canada for infrastructure improvements? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

Merci, Monsieur le President [Translation] I would like to also welcome representatives today, the Francophone National School Boards; particularly I want to welcome Mr. Allain Laberge and Madam Yvonne Careen, General Director of the Francophone School Board. Thank you for being with us today. [Translation ends.]

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are two transfer vans on the capital plan as well for corrections' personnel. Is this the extent of the fleet, shall we say, for corrections in regards to prisoner transport after these two come into place and the previous two used are retired? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

I hope what the Minister thinks is in fact correct. I'm thinking if they're going to be putting cameras on poles so they have a wider radius, you know, those type of features, but perhaps I'll follow up in more detail. The other question I had pertains to the Territorial Women's Correctional Centre in Smith. These upgrades, do they satisfy the recommendations of the Auditor General in the recent report on corrections? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The security cameras that will be part of this expenditure; are they for internal security purposes or external security purposes? I appreciate that's a rather detailed or specific question, but I'm wondering just if they're for people on the outside of the fence or people inside the fence, if it's for the inmates or if it's for people approaching the fence? Thank you, Mr. Chair.