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

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Chief Ernest Betsina and Chief Fred Sangris and also recognize that we are our proceedings today take place on Chief Drygeese territory. Thank you.

Motion 9-20(1): Establishing a Public Inquiry into the 2023 Wildfires, Deferred
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories experienced a historic and unprecedented wildfire season in 2023 that displaced twothirds of the territorial population through emergency evacuations and that destroyed community infrastructure and private property in many northern communities;

AND WHEREAS the people of the Northwest Territories are still experiencing individual and collective trauma induced by the 2023 wildfires and subsequent emergency management operations;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories is undertaking an internal review of its...

Question 36-20(1): Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister it sounds like no additional resources are coming, so is the Minister contemplating a bill that can correct some of these timelines so we can ensure we're meeting them and we're not putting additional pressures on our staff that are just ensuring that the system fails? Thank you.

Question 36-20(1): Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you. Does the Premier believe that filling those vacancies will correct the issue, and we'll see the rates of timeliness improve? Thank you.

Question 26-20(1): Delay in Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Mr. Speaker, the department didn't respond or didn't request an extension when this matter was delayed. Can the Minister respond why his hardworking staff were unable to do so? Thank you.

Question 26-20(1): Delay in Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, are these two fulltime access to information and protection privacy coordinators, or are they do they have other duties in the department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member’s Statement 45-20(1): Colville Lake School
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Kent Cooper, former executive director of the Associated Press, is often credited with coining the term "right to know." Stated as early as 1945 that the citizen is entitled to have access to news fully and accurately presented. There cannot be political freedom in one country, or in the world, without respect for the right to know. In the years since, the public's right to know has extended to public governments as well.

As noted here in the Northwest Territories, our Information and Privacy Commissioner Andrew Fox stated: Government has to facilitate the...

Question 36-20(1): Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the Minister and I have been able to coordinate to work successfully on this in the past. I'd like to work with him again. When will this review be completed as access to information, the public's right to know, is a fundamental priority of any public government. So when will this new review be completed and we could consider it? Thank you.

Question 36-20(1): Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my friend, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, was too modest. I think his hardworking staff is actually overworked staff. So I'd like to ask the Premier, in his responsibility as Minister of Justice, how the government is supporting the access to information regime in the Northwest Territories considering the high demand from the public and the low rate of responsiveness from the government as an entire entity? Thank you.

Question 26-20(1): Delay in Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is that enough given the slow response time and the increase in requests; is two enough? Thank you.