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 1022-20(1): Royal Canadian Mounted Police Crime Reduction Unit
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 79)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's been -- well, the crime reduction unit in the RCMP that this Assembly put in place has now finally -- or is now fully implemented and off to work. We know that one of our biggest challenges here is the flow of illicit drugs into the Northwest Territories from the south. Can the Minister of Justice tell us how this -- how the crime reduction unit is making a difference in fighting the drug trade. Thank you.

Question 1009-20(1): Crime and Public Safety
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 79)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I have thoughts on how we govern but, Mr. Speaker, I mean, I could put this into a motion and then the government will respond to it. I don't think that's going to get us any farther.

Mr. Speaker, we started this conversation at a town hall. Would the Minister commit to hosting town halls across the Northwest Territories with his department, with the RCMP, and hear firsthand the stories people are going through. Because it's not pretty out there. He needs to hear these stories, not just from us, but from firsthand accounts of people telling these stories so he can...

Member's Statement 870-20(1): Town Hall on Crime and Public Safety
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 79)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last night, the Member for Yellowknife Centre and I hosted a town hall on crime and public safety. Around 70 residents joined us, including parents, priests, public servants, business people, Indigenous leaders, activists, outreach workers, and people with lived experience on the streets of our capital. What we heard may not be surprising considering the recent state of our territory on crime but the deeply personal experience and insights shared were striking. In their own words, here are some of what we heard last night:

A citizen whose home was broken into said, I...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 79)

Thank you, okay. Well, it was communicated by committee through one report. I'd have to look at our review of the Legal Aid Commission. I am -- no doubt it was brought up in questioning. But, anyway, notwithstanding those points, I am just going to assume that if a decision is made, funding is appropriated, then that would be provided. It sounds like that would be the case. So I am going to leave it there. I eagerly await seeing the official response to that report, that comprehensive report. This is, I think, a key area that we've been hearing is a gap for long, long periods of time. And...

Question 1006-20(1): Supported Living Services
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I am glad the Premier's up to speed but near future isn't precise enough for the constituents who are raising these concerns. Can we get more clarity on when we can expect the resources to flow to implement these outstanding recommendations. It's the government's own report, Mr. Speaker, and I am not asking for a wish list here. This is what they committed to set out to do. So when is the near future under the Premier's assessment? Thank you.

Question 1001-20(1): Supported Living Services
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the final report was issued four years ago, so this is not like this came out yesterday and I am asking the Minister to hurry up. Will the Minister either implement these recommendations within the next -- within the next business plan or admit to the public that they're just not going to get done? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1001-20(1): Supported Living Services
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government must recognize the caregiver burden for families for adults who are experiencing disabilities is a systemic issue. Will the Minister of Health and Social Services expand the supported living model to private homes, opening access to supports, respite, and paid caregiver resources that are currently limited to designated providers only? Thank you.

Question 993-20(1): Supported Living Services
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's always disappointing when we make recommendations that we can't afford because we should be just doing it. That should be with our top priority when we make them because why make them otherwise.

Mr. Speaker, what policy or formal mechanism exists to ensure individualized accommodation and access is ensured for persons with disabilities across departments and programs, so not just with health and social services but across the entire government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member???s Statement 861-20(1): Supported Living Recommendations
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Mr. Speaker, it took nearly a decade for the Government of the Northwest Territories to assess the services it provides to persons with disabilities, only to reveal significant failures in their design and delivery. Yet almost four years after this work accumulated in health and social services' landmark supported living review final report, only a handful of its 33 key recommendations have been meaningfully implemented.

Once you speak to families affected by these systemic failures, you will notice that these are not just service gaps but service canyons - fragmented disability and continuing...

Question 1006-20(1): Supported Living Services
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 78)

Thank you. Well, I am not going to wind back Hansard, Mr. Speaker, but essentially the problem we find ourselves in is the Minister of health is saying we can't implement those recommendations until we get the advice of the sustainability unit on how we're going to fund it. So what I am asking is when is the advice -- it's not specific to this report, but I guess it's general to the entire system. But when is that advice coming? The Premier said near future. When is near future? Is it tomorrow? Is it next week? Is it the month after? When is near future? Thank you.