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 60)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know if I can tell the people experiencing this issue that an exploration is going on and that will be sufficient. So what does exploring mean in real terms to people with real lives who are experiencing this situation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 60)

Thank you to the Minister for clarifying some of these points. The problem is when the work plan says as applicable, that's a very big window, and I think when people read that without that clarification. So will the Minister agree to update this work plan to make it clear that insured services will not be a fee-for-service in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 60)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the public administrator for NTHSSA's work plan, it tasks him to, quote, "work with NTHSSA and DHSS to find ways to increase and reduce expenditures within the health and social services system, including supporting the establishment of income assessment and fee collection structures as applicable."

I've had two people reach out to me today, constituents, who are concerned what this actually means. So can the Minister clarify, are we looking to recoup the costs of the health system on the back of patients and people who need health care in the Northwest...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a few people who have been passionate advocates for nurses since this term started, Andrew Gregory, Tad Duquette, Tamara Holliday. I thank you for being here and bringing your colleagues as well. I know my riding of Range Lake has a great number of health care workers. They do so much good work for our communities. They keep us safe. They keep our families well. And I want to thank you all, recognize your service to our communities here, and thank you for being here today. Sorry that I not -- might not be able to recognize every one of...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you. And I appreciate the Minister's advocacy. Good luck with that government, unfortunately, Mr. Speaker. So I mean, if -- instead of waiting to convince the political -- or waiting for one Minister from the Northwest Territories to make the political and climate in Alberta change, which is unlikely, no offence to the Minister, can we just enter into this agreement to get trans youth who need these surgeries, who need this gender affirming care, in other jurisdictions? We know Ontario has developed a bit of a specialty here. Can she reach out and make an agreement with Ontario so we can...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was meeting with a constituent over the weekend and learned that their child is having trouble accessing gender affirming care. Can the Minister explain why the government continues to rely on Alberta Health Services to provide Northerners with gender affirming care when it's well known that many surgeons are unwilling to perform these procedures due to the current political climate in the province? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. That didn't sound like a guarantee and perhaps we could see the schedule at some point, but that might be breaching operational concerns. But I will ask this: If we can't get a guarantee, what is the Minister's answer to a patient who arrives at Stanton ER for emergency treatment, there's no emergency physician, what does the Minister want them to do to get emergency care? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, has the Minister been able to work -- or look at what's happened in the Yukon and crack the code? They were able to do it, so why can't we? That's the fundamental question here. We see another northern jurisdiction with a very similar program that's also maxed out its utilization rate, and they were able to do this. So what is the difference between our program and the Yukon's program? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to -- I too wish to turn to the NTNP worker program that we have foreign workers in the Northwest Territories. We had a town hall a couple months ago. The response was significant, and people are very concerned. So the Yukon has extended their work permits. They were able to do that with their existing relationships with Ottawa. So why are we not able to extend work permits here in the Northwest Territories? This is something that nominees are asking for. They're desperate. They're very concerned about their future. So why can't we extend the permits here in the...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 59)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, my honourable friend from Yellowknife Centre talked about the challenge to the Taltson project and perhaps the optimism around it that might not be realized, and certainly, these are large scale infrastructures. So she said with projects that will take time and investment to pull off and, of course, federal investment. Hopefully, our northern Prime Minister understands that. Nunavut pays more in subsidies. Will the Minister increase the power rate subsidies to give Northerners a break? Thank you.