Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, during my last visit to Inuvik, one of my constituents raised an issue which made me think. The person was concerned about how government programs and services and policies are determined and where priorities are. I would like to set the scenario which was presented to me. In our society we say we respect enough to care for our elders. This government has programs and services in place to do some of that. When seniors are well and able to look after themselves, we provide them with housing which is provided with fuel, power and water, and they are charged minimal rents, from about $32 to maybe $67 per month. Now, when seniors are not so well and need personal care, whether in long-term care facilities or senior citizens' facilities, they are expected to contribute towards their room and board. Some of these facilities are run

by societies which are usually underfunded and employees are not very well paid. Seniors in these categories -- and it depends on the need and their source of income -- can contribute anywhere from about $378 a month to a maximum of $909 per month. This money is taken from their pensions if they are of pensionable age.

On the other hand, we have a segment of our population which is quite contrasted. These are the people who are incarcerated and end up in our prisons. These prisoners are kept in correctional centres which have lots of staff who earn good wages, and the centres usually have high O and M costs. Prisoners get three square meals a day plus a bed and some supervised programs, all paid for by government.

Madam Speaker, on top of that, the prisoners can earn wages. They receive a basic wage of $2.60 a day. Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue.