Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you know, in the North we have a lot of respect for our seniors and elders, but in Hay River I often get the opportunity to visit with a lot of seniors and many of them live in their own homes. They are proud that they live in their own homes; however, the increasing cost of living in those homes is making it more and more difficult to stay there. Some are considering moving south, which I think is shameful. I think we need to keep all Northerners in the North. Some are looking to sell their homes and apply for seniors housing and to use seniors facilities.
I have many seniors that are fighting to keep their homes as long as they possibly can, for financial reasons or for health reasons. They want to stay there as long as they can. I believe that we need to help those people stay in their homes. I would like to see the government assist with increased costs of living for seniors in their own homes.
Our population is getting older, our demand on senior facilities is naturally increasing and we need to find more ways to help those seniors. The issues of seniors span across many government departments. Health is an obvious one, but Health is also involved in continual care at their homes. Education, Culture and Employment monitors the Fuel Subsidy Program. Housing obviously controls housing issues. MACA controls tax breaks for those seniors that are in their own homes.
I believe that this government needs to increase their support to seniors that are in their own homes.
I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Seniors to see where they are choreographing all of the GNWT departments in this area. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.
