Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I, too, rise. As I mentioned earlier in this sitting June is Senior Citizens’ Month in the Northwest Territories. As part of that, today, June 15th, as previously mentioned, is another special occasion for our seniors and elders. The United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 66/127 designated June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This represents the one day of the year for the whole world to voice its opposition and resistance to the abuse and suffering that is too often inflicted upon our elders. Mr. Speaker, the world’s population is aging, and in the near future, the numbers of elders will begin to surpass those of young people. As that trend continues, the problem of elder abuse becomes a greater issue affecting more and more of the population. World Health Organization data indicates that between four and six per cent of elders around the world suffer some sort of abuse, a large part of which goes in reported.
Senior Citizens’ Month is a time to set aside for all of us to recognize and honour the seniors and elders in our communities. On this day, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, gatherings and events will be happening across the globe to raise awareness and opposition to abuse of elders. In the Northwest Territories, we can make a difference in our own communities by celebrating and honouring our elders to make sure that those elders are safe, secure, and protected. Mr. Speaker, as I shared in my previous statement on seniors, I am sure each of us has had the occasion to be grateful and appreciative of an elder in our life, whether it’s a lesson we were taught, a skill that was passed down, a language or value practice that was gifted to us. For each of us, our seniors and elders have offered us the gifts, knowledge, and values that make us who we are today. The lives lived by our elders created the foundation for the world in which we now live. Their legacy and gift to us is that we live in a free and prosperous country that many call the best country in the world. Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone in this Assembly and all residents of the Northwest Territories to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by celebrating, respecting, and thanking our elders for their contributions to our world. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Nunakput.
Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will also speak on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Mr. Speaker, with my colleagues, I would like to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, first launched ten years ago by the United Nations. This is not only a matter of public health and human rights, Mr. Speaker. Our actions and attitudes will shape the territory that our residents age in. As set out in the government’s mandate, we will make sure that the elders and seniors get the care and support they need. That includes developing communitybased supports for aging in place, building a territorial and regulatory framework for longterm care, expanding longterm care and palliativecare options, and building more senior support independent living units will help the Northwest Territories make sure that our elders and seniors get the care and support that they need. But those are not enough, Mr. Speaker. Aging in place will help elders and seniors remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, but our own attitudes and actions also have a role to play alongside government programs, and the people of the Northwest Territories must continue to build communities that bring together people of all ages. We all have a role to play in our communities, Mr. Speaker, and as younger people, we have the responsibility to respect our elders, to care for our elders, and learn from them, and to speak out against elder abuse. That can mean speaking out against individual cases, Mr. Speaker, but it can also mean taking preventative action, making sure elder abuse doesn’t happen in the first place, by working with each other and through the program set out in the government’s mandate to foster strong, healthy families and strong, healthy communities. Thank you to the elders who continue to guide us. You are the foundation of who we are today. God bless each and every one of you. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, most of us love and respect the elders in our lives, yet abuse of this vulnerable and growing population is a problem in the NWT and all across the country. Almost threequarters of older adults surveyed in the NWT in 2010 and then again in 2015 see abuse of themselves or their peers as a problem in their community. What is abuse in this context? The World Health Organization says it’s a single or repeated act or a lack of appropriate action occurring with any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm and distress to an older person. It’s a sad fact that all across Canada elders are most likely to be victimized by those who are closest to them, namely, their own adult children. Elder abuse can take many forms, but financial abuse and neglect are the most common forms here in the NWT. It’s important to note that overcrowded houses, poverty, and the legacy of residential school experience can make matters worse here. The end result of any and all abuse is the same. It compromises the dignity, independence, health, and security of elders. It diminishes and frightens them. It’s not what any of us want for our parents or for ourselves. The information I’ve quoted here comes from the report the Minister mentioned, Creating Safe Communities for Older Adults. It was completed by the NWT Network to prevent the abuse of older adults in November last year. The network has created a fiveyear strategic plan to make seniors safe in their own homes and communities. There are 20 recommendations in four areas to accomplish this vision. We all have a role to play in preventing elder abuse and creating safe, secure, and caring communities. Naming and speaking out about the abuse of older adults is one of the first steps to prevent it, and that’s what today is all about. As Members of the Legislative Assembly, we have a special role to play. We can advocate for continued data collection so that we better understand the problem, and we can use this information to respond to the abuse of older adults in both policy and legislation. I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Seniors. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It has been a great opportunity to be more aware of events and special days that occur throughout the year. This past week was one of these times. Today, I as well will be speaking about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Mr. Speaker, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is marked each year on June 15th as an official United Nation International Day acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as the public health and human rights issue. Since 2006, communities have used this day to raise the visibility of elder abuse by sharing information about abuse and neglect, and promoting resources and services that can help increase seniors’ safety and wellbeing. Abuse of elders remains a private matter, and unfortunately, it is wellhidden from the public view. Mr. Speaker, elder abuse is a universal problem. It is prevalent everywhere. Abuse can occur anywhere by anyone, but is frequently, it is family that abuses their elders. Raising awareness and prevention of elder abuse requires the involvement of everyone. Public education and awareness are important elements in preventing abuse and neglect. The aim of such effort is to inform the public about the various types of abuse, how to identify the signs, and the symptoms of abuse where help can be obtained. As important as this day is, I believe that we must respect our elders, as they are our future and our past and our foundation of where we are today. Mr. Speaker, today in Fort Simpson, the health promotion unit is working with Bompas Elementary School to promote awareness to the youth. After the presentation, they are planning to walk over to the longterm care facility to have tea with the elders. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to see this happening in my community. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to stress that we need to respect our elders, take the time to speak with them, and most importantly, listen to their wise advice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, June 15th is world elder abuse day, and I want to spend some time today to discuss this issue that affects one of the most vulnerable communities in the North and the world. It is a natural part of our heritage as Northerners to show reverence for our elders. Northerners respect the long journey older adults have taken through their lives. Elders are the stewards of our history, culture, and traditions, raising a family sometimes beyond just your children, and growing up in a world where Twitter was only something that actual birds did. Elders in the North have certainly earned our respect. During the campaign, I was not wellversed on the issue of elder abuse. Since then, I have taken my time to learn more about this: reading, research, taking a firsthand look at Avens, a community for seniors, and most importantly, listening to what our elders have to say on the issue. What I have heard is that we can all do our part to end abuse against older adults. Nearly 25 per cent of our society is quickly reaching the later stages of life. It is important we remain vigilant against those who would attempt to exploit our elders. In 2007, Statistics Canada reported that the overall rate of policereported violence against seniors increased by 20 per cent between 1999 and 2005. Though our elders are the least likely demographic to be victims of violent crime, what’s truly disturbing is that the largest group of those who commit violence against our elders were adult children or a current or former spouse. To put it more bluntly, Mr. Speaker, the ones who should be assuring the safety of our seniors the most, those they love unconditionally, are the ones putting them into unsafe situations. This is just plain wrong. Mr. Speaker, here in the NWT, our Seniors’ Society back in 2010 took it upon themselves to do something about the ever growing instances of abuse. Starting with the Making Connections: Building Networks Symposium, from the information gathered there and other workshops, they established the NWT Network to Prevent the Abuse of Older Adults. The network now has over 55 members throughout the NWT who are committed older adult advocates who work to achieve reduction, prevention, and ultimate eradication of the abuse of older adults. I applaud this organization’s good work, and am proud to see a grassroots network of seniors come together to address this issue for those elders affected by abuse. Mr. Speaker, we are their children and their grandchildren. Let’s all do our part to protect the security and dignity of older adults. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I also want to recognize the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I recall attending an NWT Seniors’ Society presentation where the chair had mentioned, “to know the future, you first have to know the past.” I thought that was quite a unique statement and I still recall that presentation. Elders are the pillars of our small communities and also our large communities and for the whole NWT for that matter. Earlier I was very encouraged by the presentation of our health Minister on the long-term care plan, a 10-year plan that includes all the communities and without a plan and I was thinking, Mr. Speaker, here without a plan, we really have no idea where we’re going. It goes back to the chairman’s statement of the Seniors’ Society. I really was encouraged by the plan of our long-term care which includes clients of our elder’s community. I applaud the department for developing that plan. Now, we’ve got a prosperous future and targets and objectives to seek towards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Deh Cho.
