Debates of March 8, 2005 (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Minister responsible for Seniors. Mr. Speaker, in the Sahtu region there are 199 elders who are over 60 years of age. Mr. Speaker, there are numerous government departments, services and programs that are for the elders; for a lot of them English is a second language or they do not speak English at all. A lot of them communicate in the aboriginal language of North Slavey. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Seniors whether this government is planning any type of program that he oversees which can work with other departments who are dealing with seniors, in terms of having a one-stop shop for elders to do their business, rather than to run in all different directions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for Seniors, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 564-15(3): Centralized Services For Seniors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the seniors’ action plan was done, it was done with that kind of concept in mind, where we had a number of departments -- Education, Health and Social Services, Housing and MACA -- work to come up with a strategy for seniors.

We are anticipating being able to have some federal money to better fund those different initiatives. There is an intent to try to make it as convenient as possible. We work with the territorial Seniors' Association here, we assist them with funding, we assist them with their help line where seniors can call and get services, and help sort out any questions they may have. We have some resources in place and some processes in place to do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 564-15(3): Centralized Services For Seniors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister is correct; I see in the federal government budget, there is $13 million provided to create a national seniors’ secretariat to serve as a focal point for collaborative efforts to address new challenges facing seniors. Would he consider a territorial secretariat for seniors, so that the seniors could look forward, within this government, to see a territorial secretariat set up for them in the regions in the Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 564-15(3): Centralized Services For Seniors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, currently I am the Minister responsible for Seniors, which gives a focal point to the issues related to seniors. We have a strong working relationship and a funding arrangement with the territorial Seniors’ Association. We have in place the pieces we need. We also have a very close working relationship with all the authorities and the boards within the regions that work on mainly seniors’ issues. We have processes in place to do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 564-15(3): Centralized Services For Seniors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would ask the Minister then; when would this department or when would this government roll out its plans so that Granny from Nahanni or Uncle Orville from Colville Lake…

---Laughter

…could see that they can only go to one place in the communities to have all these programs under one roof? Today we don’t see it; so when can we see it? Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 564-15(3): Centralized Services For Seniors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are resources on the ground in every community that have, as one of the job responsibilities, to assist all the people, including seniors. We have members from across the Northwest Territories on the NWT Seniors' Association that I meet regularly with, as well with the boards. Also, I have very close feedback from many MLAs on issues in their jurisdictions. I believe that we have resources there. If they are not given enough profile on the ground to the services that are available to seniors, then I am definitely prepared to look at that and work with the authorities and the boards to try to remedy that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 564-15(3): Centralized Services For Seniors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister consider having the seniors under one ministry? Of all the programs, I know that you are working with the different departments, would the Minister consider taking that to the Premier or Cabinet to consider having one Ministry just for seniors, that cover all the programs so there is effective, efficient coordination there for our elderly people in the communities? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 564-15(3): Centralized Services For Seniors

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the last Assembly that was an issue that was raised as well, and there was work done to look at whether that would be practical. Given the fact that there are a significant number of health programs, for example, that pertain specifically to seniors, and at the same time there are another number of related issues that are often covered off through MACA or Education, what is being done, Mr. Speaker, is that when we look at consolidating the income support and subsidy programs, which includes all the programs outside of health that benefit seniors with fuel subsidies and such, we are looking at consolidating those, as the Member knows, under one roof. As well, the health programs will continue to be administered through Health and Social Services. Thank you.