Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I raised the issue, once again, regarding a seniors charter. Since three weeks ago I made sure that the Minister of Health and Social Services, who is also the Minister responsible for Seniors, received a copy of the matters I was raising as well as the corresponding research on the particular issue, Mr. Speaker, I’d like an update from the Minister responsible for Seniors. Has she had a chance to evaluate the merits of a potential seniors charter for the Northwest Territories and what are her plans with that matter? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Seniors, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member stated, he was kind enough to give me a copy of that charter on February 13th, and it is under review. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, the charter that I’ve spoken of as well as the particulars I’ve spoken to in my Member’s statement talk about a lot of things: recognizing the dignity, stopping elders’ abuse, among many, many other things. Does the Minister responsible for Seniors agree with that type of merit and believe that a seniors charter could help us achieve a manifesto of our principles that we believe strongly here? Thank you.
I had a cursory look at the charter and I do believe that we in the Territories have programs for seniors that we can be proud of. We have very extensive health care programs for seniors, extra coverages, we have very generous long-term care programming, which is virtually cost free to the seniors in comparison to other jurisdictions where the costs are rising. We also have very extensive home care programming as an insured service, which is not the case in other jurisdictions and, obviously, we have other housing programs too. Mr. Speaker, I do believe in reading the charter that we go a long way in providing for our seniors and one that we can be proud of. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I couldn’t argue with the Minister. I think she’s quite right. We have a lot of fantastic programs for our seniors. I believe strongly, as do many, that an NWT charter for seniors would certainly be, as the old saying goes, it’s finally when the rubber hits the road it sort of locks into our position on how we feel.
Mr. Speaker, in 2006, a copy of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was delivered to the then Minister responsible for Seniors. Mr. Speaker, this is not a new issue for this department. When will the Minister be able to commit one way or the other if the department and certainly if the Minister is behind an NWT seniors charter? Thank you.
As I indicated, I received this about two weeks ago. It’s under review and I will have to get back to the Member in due course. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
