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

Range Lake

Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box

1320

Email

Email

Phone

Statements in Debates

Committee Motion 234-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act – Amend subclause 111(4) to add (4.1) and (4.2), Defeated

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Thank you, Chair. The intention of this motion is to be consistent with other pieces of Territorial legislation. The sole example is the Petroleum Resources Act. This same provision exists there. It allows opportunity for the public to review regulations as they are published and to provide them with an opportunity to comment. This is something that we heard from civil society, from industry, and from Indigenous organizations, as well. I think it is important that we give the public the opportunity to weigh in on these regulations.

As this is a consistent theme that we have heard throughout the...

Committee Motion 222-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act – Amend Clause 24(7), Defeated

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Thank you. Which part of the subclauses of clause 24 address the prospecting permit instrument? Thank you.

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

By working with the IGCS and other partners, does the Minister mean a co-drafting of regulations, or merely consulting with the IGCS?

Committee Motion 213-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act – Amend Clause 1 to replace definition of "settlement Lands", Carried

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am keenly interested in some of the rationale that we have heard from the Minister. I would just like to pursue that further. Does the Minister agree that there are sufficient protections included in the act to allow the Minister of the day or the government to prevent the disclosure of information that would be harmful to business interests in the public registry? Thank you.

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Just once more for clarity, the Minister will confirm that the government's position on this clause is to continue the practice of best-effort socio-economic agreements moving forward into the regulations? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 231-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act – Amend Clause 53, Carried

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Clauses 54 through 110 inclusive approved

Committee Motion 222-18(3): Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act – Amend Clause 24(7), Defeated

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Mr. Chair, a point of order. I am looking at the copy of the motion that has been distributed, and the French translation does not seem to match the English translation. There is a subclause 4, and I can read the French if you like, but I believe you have a copy of this motion as well. I believe this motion is out of order as both sections do not match.

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

My apologies, Mr. Chair, but that did answer my question, and that is what I was looking for.

Let's turn to regulations, then. Again, this is a section that is key for the detail coming out in regulation, and that is why my questions veered into hypothetical territory. I won't do that now, but I think that it is imperative that Indigenous governments have a say on these regulations, so that they can be assured that their perspective, especially in unsigned areas, is reflected in benefit agreement requirements.

We also need to have a role for industry so that industry is comfortable with what is...

Committee Motion 209-18(3): Standing Committee on Economic Development and environment Report on the Review of Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act - Principles, Tools, and Indicators for Performance, Transparency and Accountability, Carried

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, I think that we have heard a commitment from the government that there is going to be this comprehensive financial review of everything that is at play with natural resources, including royalties, including transparency, including reporting.

I have great confidence that the 19th Assembly will be dealing with this issue. I view these recommendations as more of guidance to the next Assembly on what this committee's experience was and to take those lessons on in building that review and ensuring that it addresses the concerns that we have heard and the evidence that we...

Debates of August 20, 2019 , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 87)

Thank you. That was very clear. That is what industry is looking at when they see a section like that that is so vague you could drive a truck through it, having that kind of certainty. If a socio-economic agreement is so signed that is governed by this section, if a company or mining project isn't able to meet the terms of the agreement, will regulations be drafted to create some sort of penalty if the agreement is breached in any measurable way? Thank you.