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
Phone

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we have to give our students the benefit of the doubt. There is an awful lot that goes into pursuing an education degree. I hear the Minister say this often, that he's encouraging them all to study hard and get those degrees. Will the Minister make the commitment to saving this program if enough students graduate? If the entire class graduates, will he put the money back in the program, because that seems to be the criteria he's putting forward today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So if the Minister can just confirm, there is no commercial fishing activity taking place outside of the summer months? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

It is a little concerning to hear that we are not sure if this was an evidence-based decision to cut this program, or if it is, in fact, a political decision to cut, to save some money and support the fiscal strategy of the government. Can the Minister at least clarify that point? What is motivating this decision? Is it, again, to meet a reduction target, or is it because we want the best quality education for Northerners?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you for that answer. Mr. Chairman, if the Minister could answer. The commercial fisheries subsidy, freight subsidy, is that currently meeting the needs of our fishers? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Minister raised a key component of this work, which is traumainformed care and traumainformed therapy. When we are evaluating some of these alcoholism and addictions issues, they are symptomatic to the abuses of colonization and the residential school in particular. Is the department or is the Minister's staff working on a traumainformed care model to address addictions in the Northwest Territories, whether or not that is working with Indigenous partners or the southern facilitybased care we have? Is traumainformed care becoming the lens that we are focusing...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the commercial fisheries industry supports there was $1.4 million earmarked in the last budget to go towards the development of a facility in Hay River. Yourself, Mr. Chair, would have raised this in question period. I wonder if the Minister can just clarify why that disappears in this budget and what the plan for that funding is. Has it been spent? How is this money being disposed of? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

The Minister has answered a number of my other questions. Of those options -- as he wanted to do. Out of those options, have we established a criteria for assessing these and what is that? Is it based on the number of people who are reporting successful treatment? Is it the number of patients processed? I'm just wondering how we're really understanding these options and how effective they are.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you Minister. That is a welcome commitment. You will note that the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning has also asked that this cut be foregone, so I will leave that with you for consideration. Another area of concern is, of course, the SEED program. I note that the SEED program has remained stable in funding, which is also welcome, but why have we not looked at enriching this program? Are all areas of the many buckets available for access, are they being fully subscribed, or are there some areas that have less interest than others? Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on January 30 of this year, my constituent Jean Piro passed away peacefully, only weeks away from her 94th birthday.

Mrs. Piro came to Yellowknife in 1947, and two years later she married her husband, local businessman Mike Piro. In her 70 years in the NWT, Jean had many jobs and was an active member of many clubs and associations and even brought a bowling alley to Yellowknife.

It is without a doubt that Jean's greatest achievement is the roots she laid down with her four children, Gordon, Brian, Lorie, and Sandra, and her many grandchildren.

Jean was one of...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you. Is ITI's sole involvement in the development of this plan setting reduction targets for BDIC? Thank you.