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 , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Okay, well, then I'll stop. For -- apart from saying it's a great thing and we should be lifting the income ceiling, maybe it doesn't go to everyone as generous as the Canada child benefit, but certainly, it could make a huge difference in Northerners across the territory and is exactly the kind of thing that people are looking forward as they face an uncertain future with costs predicted to increase any day now when 25 percent tariffs are imposed on our country unless another stay of execution or temporary reprieve can be negotiated. I know the Premier's on that, and hopefully Team Canada...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I spoke about the important work the NWT SPCA does in the Northwest Territories. Unfortunately, they don't fit into any GNWT box for funding. As an NGO that provides a critical service to communities, they're not unlike NGOs that provide supports to the communities like homelessness, health and well-being. So can the Premier who is responsible for the NGO stabilization through the executive speak to how -- or why the SPCA's not eligible for funding. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you. So when was the Minister -- so I've heard that -- obviously we were all surprised when the decision was made and caught off guard. But my understanding is that this was not a completely novel idea, that there had been talks about this programming. So when was the Minister made aware that Aurora College was considering closing the community learning centres? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you. Is there -- like, how does the department, like, consider this benefit? Because I think most Canadians and Northerners -- let's just say Northerners receiving the Canada child benefit don't see it as income assistance or income security benefit. They see it as a middle-class benefit, let's say. So what is the kind of stated policy here? Is it a benefit to working families, or is this just another income assistance program? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Mr. Speaker, our pets are Members of our families. We welcome them into our home the where we love and care for them in return only for their unending companionship. All pet owners recall fondly of how their bond WITH their pets was first made, and for many that connection is made at a local shelter where dogs and cats are housed and cared for by staff and volunteers in preparation for the day they find their furever homes. Those animals may have nowhere else to turn at first, but thanks to the hard work of animal shelters, they soon find their place in this world, and in turn, those animal...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you. So how much funding then -- adult education funding is attached to that MOU in dollar terms? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've had a year of this government to get a move on on these signature -- I think the Premier's been on record saying these are the signature pieces of this legislation. Again, I'll ask can we get these LPs in place by let's say the May/June sitting so we could actually see all of them passed this year. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Yeah, thank you for the clarification. I don't know why I had the 800 in my mind. But that's good to hear. I think the fact that Nunavut doesn't have one is the reason why we should be leading this conversation because, you know, if they don't need the quota right now -- clearly they don't -- then we could make use of theirs until they're at a time to be ready. So I really encourage the Minister to have more than a conversation, put a plan together, and really aggressively lobby, and lean on the provinces too because, you know, here's a secret. The provinces understand the territories are...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members have been eagerly awaiting the Premier's promised plan -- promised suite of anticrime legislation - the Trespass Act, SCAN Act, Civil Forfeiture Act. It's still on the books. My constituents are eagerly awaiting it. My colleagues are eagerly awaiting it. Can the Premier give us a firm time when these bills are going to be introduced? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 45)

Thank you. So if in this current intake for the 90 -- the 90 spots, if there's 200 applications or 500 applications or whatever it may be -- because there's going to be more than available spots. That's the predicament we find ourselves in. If there's a change in quota, are we going to do the same thing where people who apply to this intake are held over in case there's an expansion of quota in the future? Thank you.