Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just the fact that, here again, there is an inconsistency where some seniors or elders that do have the benefit of insurance to cover their stay in these homes, and now we have aboriginal elders who depend solely on fixed income of their old age pensions and we are taking almost all of it away. I would just like to get that commitment again from the Minister that he will closely review this policy of ours and address it as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My concern is that the maximum amount is $700. It is approximately equivalent to what they receive in old age pension, Mr. Speaker. My thought on this is that this is pretty much their last stop on earth. I was just wondering why we are charging our elders to sit out their remaining life. Particularly, for me, I believe that what is going on here is a treaty right. I am just wondering if the Minister cares to respond with regard to that. Why are we offering a service when it should be classified as a treaty right?

I had the great honour of working with these individuals for 17 years during my career with Enbridge Pipelines and they have offered much volunteerism to the communities in which they have worked. For that I honour them and thank them on behalf of the people and the communities that I represent. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to hear that we do offer the best service and one of the best facilities to provide for our elders that do have to end up in long-term care facilities, Mr. Speaker, but I still don’t understand why we have a treaty right and our aboriginal elders are having to pay for it. If the Minister could comment on that again, Mr. Speaker.