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 65)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories prepare and table a report on the status of the work it has completed to implement the Health Information Act, including the implementation of a public information campaign and training for health sector employees. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 65)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommend that the Government of the Northwest Territories identify all recommendations made by the Information and Privacy Commissioner by this and previous standing committees for improvement to the Access to Information and Protection of Protection of Privacy Act;

And further, that the Government of the Northwest Territories identify, in the legislative proposal to amend the act, how these recommendations are being addressed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just on the health, the $22.9 million of the supplementary estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services: year on year, it's typically around a 20 per cent overage as the average that the Department of Health and Social Services exceeds its projected estimates, and committee looked into this, and this is not in recent years; it's over a range of years. It's a historical fact that the health department consistently exceeds its estimates.

So why do we continue to budget this way when we do have an average forecast of when estimates are going to be exceeded? If...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding, this was something that was approved by a previous -- not approved, but a lot of work went into this in the 17th Assembly and I wonder if there is any detail as to why the funding originally allocated to it from the midwifery program was not spent to establish it in the 17th Assembly. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to ask, in regard to the great public interest in this issue and the hard work of our post-secondary departments with Dechinta and College nordique, if the Minister will commit to making the LP process that the standing committees normally go through a public process so that we can have a broad range of opinions on the legislation before it's finalized in the House? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you. I am afraid that, with some dread, I hear that a labyrinthine process of plans upon plans upon plans are being contemplated by the department. I wonder: can the Minister give some assurance that this is not going result in more action plans and strategies and will actually result in results? We have been waiting for a year for a strategic plan that has now transformed into a foundational review, so are we going to be waiting another year to see this review, or are we going to get moving on post-secondary education in the Northwest Territories?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to publicly state my support for Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Education Act.

First off, as a parent, I feel very privileged that my son is enrolled in a first-class school here in the Northwest Territories where his unique learning needs and education challenges are met by very skilled educators whose standard of teaching and professionalism is second to none in Canada and the world.

That being said, I have asked some tough questions of the department along with my colleagues who are full-time members of the Standing Committee of Social...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I misspoke. It is around 5 per cent, $20 million dollars’ variance, or amount exceeding the estimate, so same question to the Minister. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

I'd like to thank both Ministers for their clarification. Nothing further.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 64)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to clarify the establishment of the NWT Organ and Tissue Donation Registry. When is the expected go-live date of that project now that we are securing funding for it?