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
867-920-4066
Cell
867-447-0439

Statements in Debates

Question 530-18(3): Raising the Northwest Territories Debt Limit
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the CBC news article, "NWT in Talks to Raise Debt Limit As Budget Projects Slight Deficit," published on February 6th of this year, the finance Minister has indicated that he has reached out to his federal counterpart and begun discussions on raising the debt limit. Can the Minister offer more details on what is happening in these discussions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Motion 31-18(3): Request for Government of the Northwest Territories to Enter Binding Arbitration with Union of Northern Workers, Defeated
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to stand in support of this motion that calls for binding arbitration as the clear resolution to the collective bargaining dispute between the government and the Union of Northern Workers, and leave us with a 100 percent chance of a no strike situation.

This motion should be uncontroversial. The honourable Members of this House have risen many times to call for a fair deal that respects both sides of the dispute and results in a new collective agreement between the government and its workers. This motion will achieve that result, a result that has not been...

Question 530-18(3): Raising the Northwest Territories Debt Limit
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 52)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate that these are separate topics, but they are somewhat intrinsically linked. You either have money to spend or money to spend through borrowing. If we are not getting it from TFF, then we are going to have to raise taxes. Obviously, 45,000 people cannot exactly bear that burden or provide the government with the resources it needs to take on these projects, so is the Minister willing to bring TFF into this conversation? I am fine with either approach, but we need a strategy to get these projects done.

Tabled Document 326-18(3): Letter Dated February 7, 2019, from the Aurora College Student Association President to the Premier and Cabinet, regarding Potential Strike by Unionized Employees at Aurora College
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following document, a letter from February 7, 2019, addressed to the Premier and Cabinet from Samantha Morandin, Student Association President at Aurora College.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the Chair rise and report progress. Thank you.

Member's Statement on Binding Arbitration of GNWT-UNW Labour Dispute
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Mr. Speaker, the public is clearly confused over the situation of binding arbitration. It seems that some in this Cabinet are unaware of how a strike will affect Northerners. It seems that some believe that everyday people should just get a loan to make ends meet, or just tighten their belts and cut back on their "luxurious" spending. These ideas are sadly out of touch with the concerns and realities of everyday people and businesses alike.

I've heard just in the last few days from so many concerned constituents; nurses, civil servants, business owners, and students, to name a few. Students of...

Question 512-18(3): Binding Arbitration for UNW Negotiations
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister believe that, at this point, new direction is required, either a new strategy, either a new leader for that team? It just seems like things are at an impasse, and I am fearful to gamble on optimism at this point.

Question 512-18(3): Binding Arbitration for UNW Negotiations
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

I appreciate the Minister's optimism. I have been optimistic for three years, and now we are at a really very dangerous situation for bringing additional division into our communities. Mr. Speaker, I asked about information the government is providing. The Minister spoke of an email he sent out earlier in question period, and he said that he'd read the email and it did not seem to inflame tempers. I have the text of the email, and it says "unionized employees who are considering coming to work during job action are encouraged to discuss their choice with their union representative," and then...

Member's Statement on GNWT-UNW Collective Agreement
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are any number of issues I could bring to the House today, but there is one pressing issue that I'm sure we're all aware of, and that is the ongoing dispute over the collective agreement between the GNWT and its workforce.

Mr. Speaker, these employees are our friends and neighbours. The financial uncertainty that it is causing not just for the workforce, public servants who are tireless providing our high-quality public services to the people of the Northwest Territories; it is additionally causing uncertainty for the business community, for private...

Question 512-18(3): Binding Arbitration for UNW Negotiations
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 50)

What I meant in my Member's statement is that I should have been asking these questions three years earlier because the Minister has not led this process to a successful resolution. The Minister has led this process to a potential strike. So what is he doing, what actions, how is he approaching this differently, to result in a fair deal for northern workers?