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 115-18(3): Federal Indigenous Rights Framework
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I talked about the federal government's new plan, and that's for the Prime Minister to implement a new Indigenous Rights Framework. Some of this stems from the Royal Commission on Indigenous Peoples, which dates back to the 1990s. In particular, it's a call for the federal government to help foster autonomy by moving communities away from restrictions of the colonial-era Indian Act, which has impacts on Canada, but it also has impacts on self-government. I'd like to ask the Premier if this government has a position on the newly announced...

Member's Statement on Federal Indigenous Rights Framework
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past week Indigenous activists across Canada have raised their voices in frustration and anger over the ongoing effects of colonization in our country, and they have reinforced the clear message that there can be no peace or harmony unless there is justice.

We must all admit as a society that successive governments have tried, sometimes intentionally, sometimes in ignorance, to absorb Indigenous peoples into Canadian society, thus eliminating them as distinct peoples. Policies pursued over the decades have undermined and almost erased Indigenous...

Mr. Testart's Reply
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is the third budget of the 18th Legislative Assembly, and the third time that Members have gone through the painstaking process of reviewing the draft budget and providing detailed input to the Minister of Finance and his Cabinet colleagues. I have to say, I am beginning to wonder why we bother.

Before I comment on the 2018-2019 Budget, let me say a few words for those who might be listening, about the role of the Regular Members in the business planning process. I think it is important to explain this process to members of the public. Although this...

Question 120-18(3): Procedural Fairness in the Justice System
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just because it is a federal issue does not mean we do not have a responsibility to raise these issues that are being raised by our constituents and by people who are leading rallies and protests outside this building to get our attention, so will the Minister commit to bringing this to the federal Minister of Justice or to the FPT table to see if there can be a national conversation or see if the NWT can join the national conversation, and if he can find a way to do this without delay? Thank you.

Question 120-18(3): Procedural Fairness in the Justice System
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 11)

I do have some familiarity with the jury system, as the former jury administrator for this government. I am pleased to hear the Minister is considering opening this discussion up to the public. Is this just an idea he is having, or is he planning on launching some sort of public consultation on these, the issues that have been raised around fairness in our justice system?

Question 110-18(3): Procurement Policies
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 10)

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the manufacturing strategy doesn't include a section on progress payments, prompt payments, and doesn't include a clear policy direction in that strategy to resolve this issue. Thank you.

Question 110-18(3): Procurement Policies
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 10)

I have a constituent who is a subcontractor and did not receive payment from a government contract. It is an issue. I can tell the Minister that. It is an issue. I will give him the full details when we are out of the Chamber. The Government of Canada is doing more than looking at it. There is a bill called the Canada Prompt Payment Act currently in first reading. Is the Minister willing to develop a legislative proposal and to share that proposal with the standing committee so we can get to work on prompt payment legislation here in the Northwest Territories?

Question 105-18(3): Procurement Policies
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 10)

Mr. Speaker, I don't know how many more Member's statements that I need to make or that my honourable friends need to make before the Premier will listen to what we're saying and address those issues. So to the issue of progress payments, will the Premier direct his Minister to fix that problem, to ensure progress payments don't require bonds, and that they can move forward to support small businesses? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 105-18(3): Procurement Policies
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 10)

My next question, again, is for the best Premier ever: will he commit to amending the Minister of Infrastructure's mandate letter to include a review of the procurement policies in the GNWT?

Member's Statement on Procurement Policy Related to Progress Payments
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is going to be an exciting day for the Minister of Infrastructure, as a number of us today have statements on procurement.

Mr. Speaker, I have raised numerous complaints around the procurement policies of this government. It is adversely impacting my constituents and the constituents of many other MLAs across the territory. It is time that we take a look at these policies and make them work for the people of the Northwest Territories, not for the Department of Infrastructure. It's time that we invest in the North and use procurement as a way to grow the...