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

Question 262-20(1): Recreational Land Leasing
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I've raised the issue of recreational land leasing in this House before. It seems like we don't have a clear path forward. What has the Minister been able to accomplish on his end since I've raised this leasing issue in the North Slave? Thank you.

Question 262-20(1): Recreational Land Leasing
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister issue a moratorium on all future land leasing until he can get this problem solved? Because it's unfair to raise expectations in the hopes of my constituents and any other Northerner looking for a recreational land lease. Let's just call it quits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 262-20(1): Recreational Land Leasing
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Well, that's good. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's good, it's good to work with the First Nations. It's essential to work with the First Nations. But the Akaitcho process has obviously never been settled, so why have we been issuing these leases in the past? There are cabins out there. There are homes out there. Why have we made these decisions in the past, Mr. Speaker?

Member’s Statement 263-20(1): Recreational Land Leasing
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Mr. Speaker, frustration continues to grow among my constituents who are stuck in the process of finalizing their recreational land leases years after the department indicated their applications were moving ahead. I've been working with several constituents over the last six months -- the Minister knows who they are -- to figure out how to move forward and along the way to progress. And what I have seen so far has been incredibly disappointing.

When I last spoke on the floor, the Minister responsible, he assured me that this process was consistent and transparent, and he would work to improve...

Committee Motion 23-20(1): Committee Report 2-20(1) – Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 2: Missing Persons Act – Government Response, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 22)

Thank you, Madam Chair. So that's a yes, then? Thank you.

Motion 31-20(1): Cross-Border Crime Reduction Forum, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, colleagues, who spoke in support of this motion. I want to just reassure the Honourable Premier that this motion has some has realism to it, and I look forward to the government's response and to see them move forward with this forum. And we can start as the seconder of this motion said, we can start to take our communities back and address this problem with the resources that we need to get it done, keep our communities safe, and fight these predators when they show up in our territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'd like to request a recorded vote.

Motion 31-20(1): Cross-Border Crime Reduction Forum, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories is facing an increase in drugs and related crime in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the drug trade in the Northwest Territories is taking advantage of vulnerable people;

AND WHEREAS illicit drugs in the Northwest Territories are largely coming from southern provinces;

AND WHEREAS profits from the drug trade in the Northwest Territories are primarily benefitting southern organized crime groups;

AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada has worked collaboratively with the United States on a crossborder crime forum since 1997 to...

Question 258-20(1): Basic Income
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 22)

Well, the Minister thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister makes it seem like I want to give free money to everyone, and that's not the point here. The point here is to get a return on our investments. The heritage fund isn't working. It's been losing money for years. What's the Minister's plan to fix it? Thank you.

Committee Motion 24-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): 2024-2025 Main Estimates, Deferral of Department – Infrastructure, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 22)

Nothing further. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Question 258-20(1): Basic Income
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this week, the Standing Committee on Social Development had received a presentation from an academic on universal basic income which was, I think, informative for many members. This is something I've long been supportive of. One way we could make it work in the Northwest Territories is through a resource dividend. This is something they do in Alaska, something that we could make work and have an easy way of funding and providing financial relief to everyone in the Northwest Territories. Is the Minister of Finance open to developing exploring this idea in...