Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Caring for our seniors is an important activity in all of our communities, particularly in our smaller communities such as Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution.
Many families in these communities are already over-burdened with limited income and the high cost of living, so caring for senior family members on top of all of this can be tremendously challenging.
In Fort Resolution, the community has Our Great Elders Facility that can accommodate four seniors. However, Mr. Speaker, this facility is not being utilized for residential use. This facility has been shut down for residential use and used by the Department of Health and Social Services to deliver home care.
However, I do feel the residents and the home care can coexist. This worked well in the past.
Mr. Speaker, last week I spoke about the government putting its needs before the needs of the communities. Here is another example. This facility was built under the social housing portfolio to house seniors. That is not what it is being used for today.
Mr. Speaker, in the past, Our Great Elders Facility was used for long-term care and then it was closed down due to policy changes by the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, in Lutselk’e, the community has a four-unit building that houses four seniors. Although it is a great place for seniors to gather on a regular basis, the seniors have advised me that the community does not have enough adequate, suitable housing for the elders. The seniors have requested another four-unit facility be built as soon as possible.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize the seniors public housing is built by the NWT Housing Corporation in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Services. However, this would not be necessary in this case. The community is simply asking for another four residential units under the Public Housing Program to house seniors.
Mr. Speaker, in both communities of Tu Nedhe, the people want to see their seniors remain in the community as long as possible. The construction of a new senior citizens home in Lutselk’e and the repatriation of the four units in Our Great Elders Facility will go a long way to achieving this goal.
Later today I will have questions for the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
