Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I rise today to say a few words about a segment of our population who are well-respected; I certainly respect a lot of them and these are our seniors and elders who, over time, have provided good guidance and wise counsel to myself and, I'm sure, all of my colleagues in this House.

In the report on the Special Committee on Health and Social Services which was issued or released last November, and in our trips across the north, in the communities we visited and people we've talked to, we talked to a lot of elders and seniors in their homes and meetings, wherever we had opportunities to meet them. We took their counsel and information. We had a section in the report on elders and their needs and wishes and made some recommendations.

Madam Speaker, there is now, in the territories, a Northwest Territories Seniors' Society. They've written some correspondence to the different Ministers and also to the committee, when it existed, on their wishes. I just wish to reiterate a few of their comments. The number of seniors and elders in the Northwest Territories continues to increase and with this growth, government faces new challenges in the expansion and the delivery of programs and services to Northwest Territories residents.

The seniors' society also made some points they wish the government to consider when deliberating about their needs and programs for seniors. First, during the next two years, federal, territorial and provincial governments will be embarking on ambitious programs to reform health care and social services for Canadians. They will also be examining existing taxation regimes which affect disposable and pension incomes for seniors and elders. Finally, governments will be considering measures to reduce overlap and duplication in a number of programs and services.

Madam Speaker, my time is up. I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.