Caroline Cochrane
Statements in Debates
to it being in the Member's community
---Laughter.
in that I'm very conscious that I need to make sure that we put units based on need, not just units based on political will. So I will make sure that we look at the wait list, we look at the amount of seniors in small communities, and the small community with the greatest need will receive the pilot project.
As stated earlier, currently the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is providing funding to NWT Recreation and Parks Association, which is one of the five, for the Elders in Motion program, and we're also providing it for the Canada 55+ Games. We do recognize that there is an issue with physical literacy and so that will be a topic that's on the agenda.
I should also state that there has been a representative from one of the seniors' organizations that has recently come forward and asked if we would consider working with them also to provide a new program for seniors. I don't have...
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I agree. I think it is a wise idea. In capital plans in the future, we will add an explanation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is really nice to be able to say yes sometimes. So yes, we are actually looking at a four-plex model that we will actually be providing. We are trying to move away from the independent units. We recognize that there is more cost effectiveness and energy efficiency with units that aren't single. Yes, I can commit to looking at a four-plex for the smaller communities. Thank you.
---Applause
Like I said before, we are bringing the organizations together. It probably will be a little bit of a process to get through identifying what the duplications are, what the gaps are, who's going to take them on, how we develop that, where we go forward, but I can commit to once all of that information is received that I will put that forward to all of the Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Chair, would it be appropriate to ask the Member to repeat her question? Thank you.
The departments have worked really hard on this issue. We do feel that we have a coordinated approach to dealing with it currently. I do hear the Member's concerns that we are not doing enough. I can't give a timeline on it, in all honesty, but I can commit that I will talk to the departments and see if we can provide a response to the Member on what kind of timeline we are looking at.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm assuming that'll count for two of the questions then. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is actually very active in trying to support seniors. We recognize that we need to address more and not only from seniors but from cradle to grave, and so we need to address the whole spectrum of sports and recreation within our territories.
So on that end, I mean we do provide some support currently. We support the Elders in Motion Program through the NWT Recreation and Parks Association and the Canada 55+ Games which is provided through Sport North. Of the 55+...
Thank you. I take that as a comment.
When I met with the Auditor General, we went through the report thoroughly. I agreed with all of the recommendations, and I did make a commitment that I would work towards addressing the recommendations that are in the audit.