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

Committee Motion 78-18(3): Concurrence of Tabled Document 215-18(3), Capital Estimates, 2019-2020, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased today to speak to Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act. The bill provides for a series of changes that will offer much-needed flexibility and modernization of our system of elections in the NWT. I would like to acknowledge the work of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures in bringing forward these comprehensive changes to our elections legislation, along with recognizing the contributions of the Chief Electoral Officer, members of the public, and former candidates in their submissions to the review of the...

Motion 23-18(3): Revocation of Appointment of the Honourable Member for Hay River South to the Executive Council
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 45)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that this Assembly formally revokes the pleasure of the Assembly from the appointment of the honourable Member for Hay River South as a Member of the Executive Council, and further that this Assembly recommends that a Member be chosen to be a Member of the Executive Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 82-18(3): Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act – Renumbering clause 60 as subclause 60(1) and adding the following after that renumbered subclause, Defeated
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This amendment is separate from the previous suite of amendments that was designed to register and regulate territorial political parties. One of the concerns raised, and we've heard it in the debate was around creating an unfair advantage for independent candidates or incumbents to compete with a political organization with superior resources.

This amendment allows anyone who wishes to be a candidate in an election to use up to $30,000 a year to promote their candidacy. One of the realities of being an incumbent in this House is we are able to hold the public's attention...

Committee Motion 81-18(3): Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act - Adding the following after Clause 36, Defeated
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that Bill 24 be amended by adding the following after clause 36:

36.1 The following is added after section 83:

83.1. The Chief Electoral Officer shall maintain a register of political parties and shall register in it any political party that files with the Chief Electoral Officer an application in the approved form that contains

(a) the names of at least 60 electors indicated by the signature of each elector who collectively represents a minimum of three electoral districts, and who identify as Members of the political party;

(b) the constitution of the political...

Question 456-18(3): Child and Family Services
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

The Auditor General, as my honourable friend from Yellowknife Centre has mentioned, found that these new administrative structures that the Minister has spoken about have not improved service delivery. In fact, these complex changes have turned it into an overburdened system, continues to leave children vulnerable. It sounds like the Minister was personally involved with approving these changes. What has his follow-up been on seeing if they are actually working given what is said in the Auditor General’s report and in the department’s own internal audit report?

Member's Statement on Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – 2018: Independent Auditor’s Report – Child and Family Services – Department of Health and Social Services and Health and Social
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, like many Members of this House were shocked by the findings of the Auditor General's full audit of Health and Social Services' child and family services work. Not merely as a legislator as I'm concerned by this clear lack of oversight on the part of the Minister, I'm appalled as a parent.

Mr. Speaker, Members on this side of the House will do their work with both the Auditor General and departmental officials when we conduct our formal review of this report. However, I am concerned about the accountability of the Minister of Health and Social Services on...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will take that as a commitment from the Minister. How many more resources are we going to expend up on this building that we currently rent from a private landlord? This is $341,000. There has been significantly more than that expended in the past. Are we going to continue to put millions of dollars into someone else's property, or are we going to complete these renos that are before us now, and then move on with a stand-alone courthouse? Thank you.

Bill 20: Ombud Act
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, and Bill 20, Ombud Act. Mr. Speaker, the committee wishes to report that Bill 18 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole and that Bill 20 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 456-18(3): Child and Family Services
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

The Minister talked about taking immediate action when he took over this portfolio. He has talked about the May audit. Clearly, these concerns from front-line staff and the totality of concerns are significant and have been present for a long time. When was the Minister first made aware that Child and Family Services was worse off now than it was in 2014?

Question 456-18(3): Child and Family Services
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. The Minister has been in his office for five years and, before that, was a member of the Standing Committee of Social Programs that undertook a comprehensive review of Child and Family Services. Given the Minister’s clear experience and interest in this file, why has he not made correcting the deficiencies in Child and Family Services his top priority as Minister? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.