Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to express my concerns regarding the administration of the fuel subsidy program for our seniors, through the Department of Social
Services. I fully support the policy of providing fuel assistance for our elders. I have a great amount of respect for the elders in our communities and, particularly, the communities which I represent. It is important this government ensure that they do not suffer hardship just trying to keep their homes warm.
However, Mr. Speaker, there are some problems with the way in which the program is being administered. There are many elders who are not being treated on an equal basis because their individual circumstances are not taken into account. Each elder, who has reached the age of 60 years, who lives in his/her own home and depends on wood or fuel for heating, may receive a wood or fuel subsidy. An elder who uses wood to heat his/her home will receive five cords of wood per year. Other elders who use fuel will receive certain amounts of oil, propane or natural gas. Mr. Speaker, there is no consideration given to the type of home the elder lives in. Some of our elders live in higher quality homes with good insulation, and the amount of wood or fuel provided under this subsidy program is quite sufficient, but there are many elders, particularly in the western Arctic, who live in substandard accommodation. Usually these are homes that are not set up to burn fuel, they only have wood stoves, Mr. Speaker. If the home is of poor quality with poor insulation, five cords of wood per year is not adequate. Elders in substandard homes are experiencing hardships trying to heat their homes throughout the winter. Because of their living conditions, they need more than five cords of wood simply to be on the same footing as those in better quality homes.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.