Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, today I wish to talk about elders in Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e that have their adult children and adult grandchildren living with them. In a lot of cases these children are providing a service to the elders in the area of health care, home care and other basic services elders are no longer able to do.
Mr. Speaker, because of the support provided by the elders’ grandchildren and children, it essentially absolves the GNWT of their responsibilities. Many of these services, even things as simple as taking medication, are menial but cannot be done by the elder. Mr. Speaker, the costs associated with elders living at home to the GNWT can be fairly substantial. However, many of these costs can be averted by making it feasible for the adult children or grandchild to live with the elder.
Mr. Speaker, currently the GNWT has policies insofar as fuel subsidies, land leases and land tax exemptions for elders based on household income. If a live-in child has any sort of income at all, the elder will lose their fuel subsidy or will lose their lease or tax exemption.
Mr. Speaker, this simply does not work in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. With employment rates hovering around 40 percent in these communities, Mr. Speaker, a person cannot afford to refuse work that is available. But in doing so, the elder is at risk of losing their government support.
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of simple real scenarios that can happen where the live-in adult or adult child or grandchild takes on some sort of short-term employment. They do this to better their situation and includes bettering the situation of an elder as well. However, Mr. Speaker, doing this negatively impacts the GNWT benefits of the elder and is something that needs to be reviewed.
Mr. Speaker, with the current policies, the GNWT seems to promote a lower standard of living for elders in their own homes. Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask questions of the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment as it pertains to the seniors programs. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
