Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

(English not provided)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a need for transportation services for elders and frontline workers throughout my constituency. During my campaign and subsequent visits to Paulatuk, Holman, Sachs Harbour and Tuktoyaktuk, many elders voiced their frustrations about the lack of transportation; for example, to help them to get to medical appointments and to attend local functions. Needing to get to the health centre, elders are often expected either to take a taxi or find other alternatives.

Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Holman does operate an elder handy-bus, but it is at this point where they are having trouble maintaining it well enough to keep it running. Paulatuk has identified a need for some sort of transportation for their elders so they are able to attend and participate in community events.

Not only elders are left behind to find their own rides, Mr. Speaker, but it is also the case for some of our frontline workers. Tuktoyaktuk does have a van that the nurses and community health workers use mainly for home visits to elderly people. In Sachs Harbour, the community health worker informed the Minister of Health and Social Services that she uses her own snowmobile and ATV four-wheeler to visit elders and patients. She also uses her own money to pay for the gas and repairs.

This government should be ashamed that it is not giving our frontline workers the basic tools to do their job and look after our people and expect them to do this out of their own pockets. Mr. Speaker, I am sure there are solutions out there that would not be very costly. For example, in a small community like Sachs Harbour or Paulatuk, one government vehicle may be able to serve more than one purpose. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that Health and Social Services work with other government departments to come up with a way to provide appropriate vehicles and transportation to elders and frontline workers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause