Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was raised my entire life from elders, not just my grandparents but many elders in my community. I owe it to them to ensure that they age in place with dignity.
Mr. Speaker, increasing the number of longterm beds has been a discussion in this Legislative Assembly since we began, as well as in the past government. Since I have been elected, we went from 48 beds to 16, maybe 18, but most recently 20 beds.
Mr. Speaker, we are again reinitiating with a new number back in a planning stage.
Mr. Speaker, I do agree that the money spent to keep our elders home and in their communities is the best possible solution. But when that is not possible, where do they go? From my understanding there is a territorial application for longterm care and they may get a bed in their region but not their community. There may not be enough beds, So they are moved away from their home, their region, their family, their culture.
Mr. Speaker, what happens to those who are in between and cannot live alone but may not fit the criteria for longterm care or their needs are low and due to that cannot get a bed. We have home care and home support staff and some seniors are lucky if they have family Members who will help, but even this is difficult because family still have to go to work And home care staff can't stay for hours with one client.
Mr. Speaker, we have done some pilot programs in the Northwest Territories, like the Pay Caregiver, and I know some Indigenous government may fund this type of assistance as well, but it is not consistent through the territory which leaves some families struggling and our elders at risk. I have even heard the comment that they should have Jordan's Principle or Inuit Child First for seniors, for some of the elders.
Mr. Speaker, we have a priority for our seniors to age in place with dignity But if they have no where to have supported living, what dignity are we providing? I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER:
