Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chair, the committee wishes to consider Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 2004-2005. Thank you.

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.

Yes, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Bill 13, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 2004-2005.

Mr. Speaker, a while ago, the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Honourable J. Michael Miltenberger, issued a challenge to me; the challenge to be smoke free. I am pleased to report that, today, I accept his challenge. At noon here in the Great Hall, I joined my fellow colleague, Norman Yakeleya, the Member for Sahtu, and together we made a public commitment to quit smoking.

---Applause

Now, the challenge to be smoke-free is not primarily about getting people to quit smoking. It is about making sure that young people never start in the first place. If I am successful at quitting for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, honourable colleagues. So let me make one more commitment today. I commit myself to inform this House of the results of the challenge that Mr. Yakeleya and I have taken. I promise to return with the statistics on the number of young people who have taken up the challenge with us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Did the Minister say up to a maximum of $180,000 dollars?