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
Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Kieron_Testart@ntassembly.ca
Phone
(867) 767-9143 (link is a phone number)
Extension
12150
Constituency Office
Email
Taylor_Pagotto@ntassembly.ca
Phone
867-447-0439(link is a phone number)

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I'd hazard a guess that the health Minister's probably only too happy to let the finance Minister sub in for questions here. But she's welcome to entertain this discussion as well; I'm sure we'd appreciate it.

So the issue, I think and I'm hearing this from nurses in my riding that, like so this is a morale issue in addition just because they're the prevalence of agency nurses. So can we get the Minister to commit to a very clear cost analysis of that $5.5 million that tells us exactly like, the equivalent position staff positions that it is. I appreciate they don...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you. That's good news. I look forward to that and will have more to say then. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing further.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I know that this substantiation is to provide funding for the NWT Evacuation Travel Support Program. I have several it's becoming more than several constituents who have yet to be paid or reimbursed for their travel expenses.

Is this funding adequate to cover the I know the Minister's department is maintaining a list of those who have applied to the program. So is this is this fully funded now? Have we assessed everyone's needs and is this going to cover what we need to pay out? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I thank you for that explanation; that's satisfactory.

Okay, let's talk about agency nurses. So this is 2 million 2. just over $2.3 million. So what's the total amount that's going to be expended on agency nurse contracts? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you. That's more than I expected. I doubt you'll be able to answer this, but the Dettah I don't think there's a Dettah detachment. So that's probably a Yellowknifebased position that's there to service Dettah? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

So thank you, Mr. Chair. The wastewater monitoring or Wastewater Surveillance Program is, I believe, related to COVID19 funding. So are we discontinuing this program after that funding sunsets? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you. Nothing further.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And is this part of the police services contract or a separate program? Thank you.

Written Question 2-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Public Sector Positions
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Since 20192020, the consolidated Government of the Northwest Territories public sector grew by 1,391 positions, or 27.3 percent for a total employee complement of 6,482. As the Minister of Finance noted in Restoring Balance: A Fiscal Sustainability Plan for the 20th Legislative Assembly, "when the public sector grows, associate costs such as employee benefits, pension, dental, health insurance, other ancillary supports like IT hardware and maintenance, office space, etc. also increase."

My questions to the Minister of Finance are:

Can the Minister provide the total money...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 11)

Much appreciated. No further questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.