David Krutko

The other issue that has been raised is in regards to the incident that happened here in Yellowknife where we lost two firefighters to a fire here, but I think in the communities also it is a concern. In most of the cases, people are volunteers. They do put their lives at risk when they respond to a fire in regards to trying to put out the fire. Again, ensuring that they are getting the training and also making them aware of the hazards of fighting fires.

Again, I think that we as government have to do more to support our volunteer fire departments, especially in a lot of our communities where...

Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I demonstrated, there’s 123 elders over the age of 60. Also in that statement, I also revealed that there is, from the ages of 80 to 96, 25 people. The elderly person is 96 years old.

Mr. Speaker, we realize that the fastest increasing population we have is the aged. At some point, we are going to have to deal with it. It is an issue that we are going to have to confront across Canada.

In the Northwest Territories, we are no different I believe we have to act now and find ways, as the Minister stated, to work together. This is a perfect opportunity. The...

Municipal and Community Affairs, activity summary, grants and contributions, directorate, grants, $168,000.

Minister of MACA.

Okay, we’re on page 6-37, Municipal and Community Affairs, activity summary, regional operations, operations expenditure summary, $71.943 million. Agreed?

Any more general comments? Is everybody agreed that there are no further general comments?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regards to public safety, one of the issues that has come out especially with our small communities and most of the volunteer firefighters and also the communities have to deal with river safety in regards to search and rescue and people that have drowned and having the equipment or being equipped to carry out that response when the community by way of the fire department or whatnot. I would like to ask the Minister is that something that the department has been looking at and how we can either expand the capacity of either the fire department or the volunteer...

Okay, if we can conclude grants. Grants, $100,000.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS elders make up 9 percent of the population of the Northwest Territories and this population segment is increasing faster than the remainder of the population;

AND WHEREAS the aging population has an obvious need for long-term care facilities;

AND WHEREAS many elders contribute to their communities, teaching traditional skills and knowledge and helping sustain aboriginal languages;

AND WHEREAS when elders remain in their respective home communities they continue to have the support and company of their family and friends;

AND WHEREAS there is evidence of...