Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to discuss the increasing need of our seniors. In Hay River the situation for seniors housing is reaching a critical point. Many seniors are finding it difficult to maintain their own homes and are trying to secure a place in senior public housing. As we all know, these spaces are very limited. At this time I would suggest that if we were able to assist the seniors to stay in their own homes, it would take the pressure off the government to supply more senior housing.
Currently, seniors are given some assistance for heating costs, but with the increase in our cost of living, seniors feel that they will no longer be able to afford to stay in their own homes. Something as simple as breaking down or replacement of an appliance can leave a senior unable to pay their other bills. The infrastructure of seniors housing is very high to this government and the demands are increasing. Is there a way that we could subsidize them in their monthly utilities or the maintenance of their homes so that they could continue to live in their own homes?
I feel that if we do not act on this issue quickly, we will see seniors housing demands double of what we can provide, and this will encourage seniors to sell their homes and put the government into a crisis mode, or subsequently, many seniors will have no option but to move south where seniors housing is more available.
My questions today will be for the Minister of Housing regarding helping our seniors stay in their homes. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
