Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let's talk about elders’ housing in Ulukhaktok. Mr. Speaker, one of my colleagues pointed out today is the first day of Senior Citizens' Month in the Northwest Territories. The NWT Seniors' Society encourages us to recognize and celebrate the seniors and elders in our lives. This could be easily done by visiting your grandparents or volunteering to help your neighbours with yard work. Supporting our elders also demands more serious work. June 15th will be World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and I encourage everyone to wear purple to show their support and work together with seniors and elders and make our communities better.
But it's not only about awareness, Mr. Speaker. Where NWT elders and seniors are concerned, we also have clear infrastructure needs and today, I want to call attention to the need for an elders' home in Ulukhaktok. This community has always been ready to support their elders. To celebrate Senior Citizens' Month, the Ulukhaktok Elders’ Committee organized ontheland activities for elders, and the community also hosted a summer picnic at Jack's Bay. Mr. Speaker, the number of seniors and elders in Ulukhaktok is growing. Just five years ago, only 30 were 60 years of age or older. Since then, the number has increased steadily in 2015 to 50 people were 60 years of age and older. With other age brackets growing as well, Mr. Speaker, that not may only sound like a big change to people in Yellowknife, but Ulukhaktok is a small, closeknit community. In its mandate, the government committed to taking action so that the seniors can age in place. I hope to see that in action on the ground in Ulukhaktok. Mr. Speaker, later on I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Hay River North.
