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 31)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and that would be helpful. I am certainly not looking to question the specifics of these projects, other than to gain a general awareness of where the improvements are being targeted and, fundamentally, to know that they are going to get done in a timely fashion. The contract for the security deficiencies has not gone ahead, so I will be keeping an eye for the June date and the July date to ensure that they are done.

Just turning to court services, there is more money in here for the courthouse. Are these all carry-overs from previous years? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think it is fair to be concerned around carry-overs, but my question for the Minister is: does this represent a cash flow problem? When we look at the totality of the carry-overs, that is where the concern seems to be raised, but do we have a cash flow problem as it relates to these carry-overs? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify, Mr. Chair. On page 16 of the supplementary estimates, at the top of the page is North Slave Correctional Centre Security Retrofit, $541,000, and then, down the list, there is North Slave Correctional Centre Zone 1 security infrastructure, $617,000. I am asking if I can get an explanation of this $617,000 appropriation. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, May 31, 2018, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the 18th Legislative Assembly requests that the Auditor General of Canada undertake a special audit of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway project and report thereon to the Legislative Assembly; and further, that the Auditor General assess project control, administration, and the long-term implications of related financial agreements; value for money; reporting; and adherence to standards for contracting...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding from some of my constituents is that the exercise yard is currently in use. I know this is an operational concern, but I am wondering if this project still needs to be completed to bring the facility into full operation. Is the Minister aware of that at this point? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, third-party partners are key to successfully resolving these issues, especially working with Indigenous people, so I commend the Minister for bringing that forward.

I am mindful of an answer he gave to my honourable friend from Hay River North that you need a business case to support additional spending. Given that addictions treatment and these aftercare programs are gaps that have been identified and will require a significant amount of resources to plug those gaps, is the Minister going to bring forward a costed proposal or a business case that will see...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I agree with the Minister. I think that, with so much of our climate change planning dependent on this project, we need to start the investment, so, yes, I do support this, and I am thankful for the Minister's explanation of the scale of the project. Thank you. Nothing further.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you to the Minister for providing that update. I know there was a lot of work that has been undertaken by both the standing committee and the Minister. I would like to ask about another issue that was raised by my constituent, which is the availability of detox services in the Northwest Territories. Can the Minister speak to those programs?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you. So my understanding is that it's to explore the electricity market, to define the potential business model, including partnership discussions and a crossing study for the Great Slave Lake for transmission lines, and a regulatory review and engagement of stakeholders. So is that the full extent of the appropriation? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Standing Committees on Government Operations and Social Development recommend that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a fully costed implementation plan for Bill 6, including multi-demographic public education, enforcement planning, and expected cannabis revenues; that this plan be returned to the committees for review prior to legalization day; and that the final plan be made available to the public.

Overall, we found that the GNWT did not adequately provide citizens of the Northwest Territories with information about the proposed framework for...