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
Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143
Extension
12150
Constituency Office
Email
Email
Phone
867-447-0439

Statements in Debates

Member’s Statement 71-20(1): Restoring Balance Plan and Expectations
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, expectations for the 20th Assembly are high. After long years of successive and unprecedented crises, Northerners are ready to turn the page on the past and step boldly into the future. Yes, expectations are high, Mr. Speaker, and crucial to these aspirations is the question any government must ask itself: How the heck are we going to pay for them?

Mr. Speaker, last week, my honourable friend mentioned this, just moments ago, the romantically titled Restoring Balance of Fiscal Sustainability Strategy for the 20th Legislative Assembly was released publicly...

Motion 9-20(1): Establishing a Public Inquiry into the 2023 Wildfires, Deferred
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

WHEREAS the Northwest Territories experienced a historic and unprecedented wildfire season in 2023 that displaced twothirds of the territorial population through emergency evacuations and that destroyed community infrastructure and private property in many northern communities;

AND WHEREAS the people of the Northwest Territories are still experiencing individual and collective trauma induced by the 2023 wildfires and subsequent emergency management operations;

AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories is undertaking an internal review of its...

Question 46-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Carbon Taxation
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, BC's carbon tax is revenue neutral with all revenues going to rebates for clean energy programs or rebates to individuals. Why is our carbon tax generating net revenue instead of being revenue neutral? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 46-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Carbon Taxation
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Northerners keep getting told that our system of carbon pricing is more flexible than the federal model, but it seems to me that the only flexibility we have is to copy what they're doing in Ottawa when the dictates of Parliament come down to us. So can the Minister of Finance tell me, is the GNWT simply mirroring changes made to the federal backstop with our own carbon pricing regime? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member’s Statement 61-20(1): 2023 Wildfire Season
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the heels of a global pandemic and devastating floods, an unprecedented wildfire season forced more than twothirds of the Northwest Territories to evacuate. The roads were packed with cars while the largest airlift in Canadian history brought residents to cities some had never stepped foot in before. As Northerners, we are still coping with this collective trauma. In this House, we must also cope with the public's loss in faith in our governments and institutions. Communication leading up to and during the crisis was confusing and contradictory...

Written Question 1-20(1): Carbon Tax Revenues and Rebates
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.

What is the total net revenue from carbon pricing in the Northwest Territories since 2019;

What is the total amount of carbon tax rebates remitted to large emitters in the resource sector in the Northwest Territories since 2019;

What is the total amount of carbon tax rebates remitted to Northwest Territories residents through cost of living offset (COLO) payments since 2019;

What is the total amount of carbon tax revenue that has been shared with Northwest Territories communities through grants since 2019; and,

What is...

Question 46-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Carbon Taxation
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to that, Yukon and Nunavut maintain their own rebate systems, including rebates to mines, yet they use the federal backstop for tax collection. Why can't we do the same in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Chief Ernest Betsina and Chief Fred Sangris and also recognize that we are our proceedings today take place on Chief Drygeese territory. Thank you.

Question 26-20(1): Delay in Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is that enough given the slow response time and the increase in requests; is two enough? Thank you.

Question 26-20(1): Delay in Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Requests
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's been in the news recently that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs was recently ordered by the Information and Privacy Commissioner to provide disclosure to an access request. And I use the term "recently" loosely because they were six months behind their deadline.

Can the Minister respecting the privacy of the parties involved, can the Minister tell us why there was such an egregious delay in getting one of our citizens access to the information they rightfully deserve? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.