Kieron Testart has announced that he plans to run for the Range Lake riding in the upcoming election.
He said that he is a lifelong Northerner and is raising three children. For the last two years, he has been the director of economic development for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
Testart was MLA of Kam Lake from 2015 to 2019. He ran for re-election, but was defeated by Caitlin Cleveland.
He said that politics is one of his passions and that he hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 left the scene, having provided frequent political commentary on social media and as an editorial writer for CBC.
SA国际影视传媒淪erving in the Legislative Assembly, itSA国际影视传媒檚 given me a lot of insight into how the government works, how the legislature works, and what priorities are important to northerners,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
As for why heSA国际影视传媒檚 not running for the Kam Lake riding, Testart said that he is raising his family in Range Lake and itSA国际影视传媒檚 the one he wants to represent.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檒l always be grateful to the people who are up there (in Kam Lake) who gave me a shot and my first big break into politics,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
TestartSA国际影视传媒檚 campaign has three main priorities: economic growth, healthcare, and public safety.
Concerning the economy, he said that the North needs to have its mining sector reinvigorated and for new mines to open, and also highlighted the difficulties Northerners have been facing.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e seen our neighbours leaving because times are getting harder, the economySA国际影视传媒檚 getting tougher, cost of living is very, very high and the opportunities seem to be fewer and fewer,SA国际影视传媒� he added. SA国际影视传媒淲e havenSA国际影视传媒檛 seen the kind of measures, legislation and dynamic leadership that we need to really get a grip on whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening.SA国际影视传媒�
Testart said that the Department of Health and Social Services receives a huge share of the territorial budget and he believes that there needs to be more accountability about how that money is spent. He also hopes to address the lack of staff, wait times, frequent closure of clinics, and services provided by the hospital and medical travel.
Regarding public safety, he said that spending should go to community safety officer programs and by-law programs across the NWT. He added that they should get the should deploy more personnel across the NWT.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat gets some presence of public safety officers on the street who can really tackle some of these issues head on,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Testart also said that long-term programs such as treatment centers, wellness programs, and addiction services are also needed.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think a combination of continuing to chip away at those long standing systemic problems with direct funding for more public safety on the streets is a good way to start to turn the corner on this issue and make people feel safe in their community,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Overall, Testart believes the NWT has much potential in critical minerals, clean growth, traditional knowledge, and circumpolar research.
SA国际影视传媒淲e can be a champion across the board if we unlock this potential,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 know that I have the experience, the ambition and the vision to bring a strong voice to Range Lake and to provide the kind of representation that Range Lakers deserve going forward into what looks like challenging years ahead.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 excited to be back in the saddle, so to speak.SA国际影视传媒�
Premier Caroline Cochrane is the incumbent MLA of Range Lake. She has not yet announced if she will be re-running.
