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
867-447-0439

Statements in Debates

Question 5-18(3): Small Business Tax Rates
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not want to question the Minister's math, but we have had two years to cut the tax. We have not done it. We have got two years left to cut the tax. That is what we are talking about here. Mr. Speaker, the reason why a tax proposal like this is good is because it affects everyone equally. It is not a program that is going to be oversubscribed or underfunded. This is something that every business can benefit from, so, if we are not going to cut taxes, then are we going to roll out some tax credits? Especially as the new carbon tax comes out, are we going...

Question 5-18(3): Small Business Tax Rates
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

It is true that any cut to the tax rate is going to decrease revenues, but increased productivity and prosperity in our business community, that is, 98 per cent of the economy, will help create jobs and give businesses more resources to invest back into the economy. The Government of Yukon has cut their small business tax rates, so the Northwest Territories seems to be standing still. Is the Minister willing to revisit this issue at any time in this term?

Motion to Receive Committee Report 2-18(3) and Move into Committee of the Whole, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that Committee Report 2-18(3), Standing Committee Report on Government Operations on the Review of the 2014-2015 Public Accounts, be received by the Assembly and moved to Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Report 2-18(3): Report on the Review of the 2015-2016 Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to read an executive summary for the committee review into the public accounts.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to present its report on the review of the 2015-2016 public accounts of the government of the Northwest Territories.

The review took place in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, from April 3, 2017, to April 5, 2017. The committee notes that the consolidated 2015-2016 Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories received a clean audit opinion from the Auditor General and commends the...

Minister's Statement 1-18(3): North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, that Minister's Statement 1-18(3) delivered by the honourable Louis Sebert regarding North Slave Correctional Centre inmate concerns be moved into the Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Committee Motion 116-18(2): Addition of Text Regarding Making Childcare Accessible and Affordable, Carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to ask for a recorded vote. Thank you.

Recorded vote

Committee Motion 113-18(2): Tabled Document 419-18(2): Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, Addition of Text Regarding the Knowledge Economy, carried
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We had a vigorous round of discussion around this issue of a knowledge economy, and we, all the honourable Members, felt that this was an effective way to start addressing some of these issues.

The rule of thumb, I guess, in the world has been that manufacturing and industry follows low-cost labour, and we are seeing that trend reverse. The knowledge economies are becoming the driver of production in the world, and actually, highly-skilled workers are slowly returning manufacturing back to countries that are developing knowledge economies.

Canada is well-positioned to make...

question 929-18(2): Non-Government Organizations Funding Policy
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has laid out what this fund does quite well and I agree with her 100 per cent. The core funding NGOs receive from other sources are used for their core delivery of programs and services. This stuff is for other things to help stabilize their operations. They don’t have to dip into those resources, so if the Minister is not going to put more money into it; the Minister is not going to encourage it be moved out of MACA; the Minister is going to continue to ignore the recommendations to the standing committee; will she at the very least adjust the fund so it...

question 929-18(2): Non-Government Organizations Funding Policy
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

I thank the Minister for the gardening lesson but I would like to really get at this. This issue, this fund, has been called on to be supported for many years. Nothing is going on. Can the Minister comment on why this government is persistent in disregarding the concerns of the Standing Committee on government operations, and continues to fail to respond to our recommendations?

Member's Statement on Non-Government Organizations Funding Policy
Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 85)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, provide essential and invaluable services to the people of the Northwest Territories. These not-for-profit organizations are run by dedicated, community-minded people who care about giving back and improving the lives of their fellow citizens. The list of what they contribute to our society is endless, and the work they do is not easy. In addition to fulfilling their primary mandates, many NGOs invest an inordinate amount of time and effort securing annual funding. This splits their focus, inhibits their ability to...