Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Today I once again wish to speak on the issue of housing programs for seniors in Tu Nedhe. Last year we lost three of our oldest residents, plus six or seven other elders who have passed. With each passing there is a tremendous loss of wisdom and experience. I feel I lost a part of history and community knowledge, as I visited regularly with six or seven of these seniors during my visits to Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e.
This presents a loss of 20 to 30 percent of our most respected elders and some of these elders have been waiting for homes to be upgraded when they passed away. Fortunately some of them have had much needed work completed on their homes prior to their passing.
For the elders in Tu Nedhe, housing is a top priority when it comes to support being provided by this government. I have raised the issue of seniors’ housing many times in the past. I know the corporation is working on this and today I wish to confirm things.
Seniors are a special sector of our population and sometimes they are overlooked because they don’t speak up. Many elders that I am talking about were raised in a different time and have strong feelings of personal pride and getting things done without asking for help. Also, we must realize that English is not their first language.
We need the NWT Housing Corporation to be more proactive in dealing with our seniors. In the past I’ve suggested putting a higher priority on seniors’ applications and I’m wondering if this is being done today.
In a few weeks I will again be meeting with the seniors in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e and again these seniors will first tell me how they are feeling and then they will tell me about the problems they are having with their house. This is the norm and it says a lot about the state of the housing programs and our seniors. Our seniors need attention when it comes to housing issues.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
