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 24)

Thank you. Is the Minister aware of how many other jurisdictions, provincial and territorial jurisdictions, rent their courthouses? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 2014, the Government of the Northwest Territories released its mineral development strategy. It's a document -- this document was a result of broad engagement with industry, Indigenous governments, and other stakeholders and moved the industry forward by creating incentives to keep explorers exploring, evolving its legislation, mapping more geology, including more ways for Indigenous participation in the industry, and creating a strong local workforce. We haven't had an update to this in some time. Can the Minister speak to what the department is doing...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you. So I would suggest that this -- it is a significant amount of money, and I know that the department has undertaken studies in the past on this lease and whether or not it is good value for money. And it is not, and yet we continue to operate -- or to -- we continue to hold on to this lease and to spend millions of dollars on improvements, on tenant improvements, when we could just be building a specialized facility that meets the requirements of a courthouse, which includes the secure environment for prisoner transports, for court security purposes. These are not new issues. I've...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The second week of June marks Mining Week, a time to celebrate the industry that has built the North as we know it and reflect on the hard work of the first pioneers and all who have come after them in maintaining and growing our engine of economic growth.

Mining Week is a proud tradition first proclaimed by Yellowknife Mayor McMahon in 1991. This year, the Nunavut and NWT Chamber of Mines will be holding the mine rescue competition on June 14th and 15th at the multiplex arena. They will also hold a miners’ picnic on the 15th outside the multiplex from 12 to 3 p.m.

Mr...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How much money have we spent on tenant improvements at the courthouse facility since leasing it in the first place? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you. No, I think our resource speaks for itself, and the regulatory environment is certainly -- or regulatory improvements is certainly welcome and one of the issues that needs to be addressed. But access to capital is another one. So any -- I think every -- and any dollar that goes towards building a stronger economy through resource development is a benefit, and when you have -- I know we're in fiscal restraint, so we have to make wise use of our dollars. And, again, a times eight multiplier is a significant -- significantly good return on investment. So I would strongly encourage the...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So as the Premier pointed out when we reviewed Justice, there is no wellness centre in this -- sorry, in the other document we'll be reviewing, but there is no wellness centre on the books. There's an idea of a wellness centre. It is uncosted. It is unplanned. It is a conversation starter. So I don't think we should be talking about how we're going to use this appropriation to support any other infrastructure projects when none of them are even in the planning stage. And furthermore, I just want to point out, I guess for the record, is last week the Premier hadn't engaged...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you. That seems likes a very good return on investment. Since the -- when was the fund increased to $1.5 million? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The security and intercom system upgrade, Fort Smith, transfer van replacement, Fort Smith, which facilities are those lines -- or which facility in Fort Smith is this going to impact? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding is that -- maybe I framed it wrong, but how the applications -- or the dollar amount of applications were -- came in for the program last fiscal year, so not the actuals, but the number -- or how much money was applied for. Thank you.