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

Kieron Testart
Range Lake
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Extension
12150
Constituency Office
Email

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Minister's commitment. Mr. Speaker, the other areas that are required for a successful university or post-secondary institution are independence and, of course, an institution driven by research. Aurora College has ARI, the Aurora Research Institute, but what it doesn't have is an independent board. When will the Minister reappoint an independent board so the college can be at arm's length from government and control its own affairs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

I'm not advocating that the public funding for the Aurora College be cut; far from it. There are other universities in Canada that receive public funding, but are independent academic institutions. So can the Minister reassure me and others that, for the nearly $30 million we invest in Aurora College's operations, we are delivering the highest-quality programs that can stand up in other jurisdictions, without proper accreditation? Can the Minister confirm that what the students are learning at Aurora College can be used elsewhere in Canada?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Merci, Monsieur le President. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment recently released a discussion paper on Governance of Post-Secondary Education in the Northwest Territories, a discussion paper that I've been eagerly awaiting for some time given my commitment to accountable and relevant post-secondary education in the Northwest Territories.

The mandate of our Government states that the GNWT will begin to "expand opportunities for post-secondary education, trades-oriented learning, and northern education institutions." This discussion paper contains some important statements. The...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to request a recorded vote.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 140-18(3) Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2018-2019 now be concluded, and that Tabled Document 140-18(3) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session to the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister just confirm if this is ongoing funding or a single one-time appropriation? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the concerns that have been raised by the Information and Privacy Commissioner in her 2016-2017 annual report in regard to the ability of the Department of Health and Social Services to meet its statutory requirements under the Health Information Act with its existing information technology systems, I have questions for the Minister responsible:

Please provide a comprehensive list of all proprietary and non-proprietary information systems currently used by the health authorities, including descriptions of each system and the developers of any...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

I heard one program involved. So out of all of the program offerings at Aurora College, can the Minister give me a percentage of how many of those meet accreditation standards outside the Northwest Territories?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about the future of post-secondary in the Northwest Territories. I want to be crystal clear; I appreciate the hard work that happens at Aurora College, and I think if there are any issues that need to be addressed, it needs to be addressed by this government. Aurora college is unique in Canada and perhaps the world in how it is funded, how it is operated, and we see a lot of involvement from this department in the day-to-day operations, program course offerings, all those kinds of things. We need to...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 26)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that the Chairman of Committee of the Whole leave the chair to report progress. Thank you.