Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I was making reference to questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. My first question is: can the Minister explain what subsidy programs are available to the NWT elders' community? Mahsi.
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can only really speak to my department, where we do have the Senior Home Heating Subsidy, as well as in September of last year we did do an increase to the Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit. I know Housing has some programs. Health and Social Services has some programs. I mean, all departments can work together to get that information. We also do work very closely with the NWT Seniors' Society. The Yellowknife Seniors' Society, they have a really great handbook in terms of the programs and services that are provided to seniors. I would encourage the Member to also contact them to get that information for his constituents, and any Member to get that information to share with their seniors in their respective hometowns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am glad to hear there is a wide variety of programs available to our elders. Can the Minister explain the elders' fuel subsidy program in general detail? For example, does the rate of subsidy differ from smaller communities to regional communities?
The Member is correct. Depending on the household income and the community in which you live in is the amount of subsidy in terms of home heating that you will get. This is for all Members and all residents of the NWT: seniors are eligible to receive a set amount of wood, oil, propane, gas, and/or electricity. As I mentioned, it is dependent on the household income and the community in which they live in. Our client service officers do a good job of informing our seniors and residents of what they are capable of accessing and encourage any seniors who have any questions on this to go and see one of our employees.
Will the Minister work with me to draft some information for a couple of clients who have brought to my attention the disclosure of their personal information? They have found it difficult as to why the department is asking for their personal retirement savings that they have earned prior to retirement. Will the Minister work with me to get the information to the appropriate clients?
Yes, I will work with the Member if he can provide us with the names and information of any constituents who are having any concerns with accessing the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. As I mentioned, there are different indicators of being eligible to receive the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. I will work with the Member and ask him to provide us with the names of his constituents.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question prior to the long weekend is: will the Minister, along with the Minister responsible for Seniors and the Minister responsible for HSS, taking Minster Moses' lead on our request, coordinate a seniors' gathering in preparation for the opening of the Sahtu Regional Health Centre later this spring? Mahsi.
I will work with the Minister responsible for Seniors, who is also the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, to look at options for such an event and get back to the Member and also work with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
