Debates of June 18, 2008 (day 32)
Member’s Statement on Frequency of Payment of Elders’ Pension Cheques
Mr. Speaker, today I stand here in regard to my elders’ pension cheques that are not lasting as long as they should because of the high cost of living in the North, which in my riding is 81 per cent higher in communities such as Nunakput than in the capital, Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, my elders should not have to worry about having enough food to last them until the next pension cheque comes in. We need to have action. The Minister has to talk to the federal government to try to give elders a choice of pension cheques once or twice per month. I stand here and I worry. I talked for about half an hour yesterday with a constituent who stated that elders’ cupboards are empty. That’s not right. This government has to act on this. Our people are asking for help, and let’s give it to them. It’s got to be done.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Item 4, Returns to oral questions. Item 5, Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.