Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to express opposition that our government that preached our community wellness, community empowerment at the community level, and they would have the best means by using that information at the communities for having the knowledge, the experience to have a say on how the programs are going to be delivered by residents.
Yet, the government does not see fit to man the income eligibility for the senior fossil fuel subsidy in regards to the cost of living in communities and taking into account regional disparities. And also, the cost for individuals to maintain a home, and the number of individuals within that home.
Presently, the subsidy for a single senior home owner has been marked at $12,973. It is nearly impossible to live in a home for below $20,000, maintain your water bills, your upkeep, food, and clothe yourself, yet this Government states that they can do it for $12,000. I would like to see them try it. Communities, especially with families where there is high unemployment, high rates of alcohol abuse, suicides, gambling, and other crimes associated with that are 2 to 3 times higher than the national average in most of the northern communities.
A motion that I put forth to the committee of the whole and the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, considering amending the seniors' fuel subsidy was rejected. But I also would like to put a face on a person, Mr. Ben Firth, and Sarah Firth, who is 74 years old, who is raising 2 of his grandchildren, and had a stroke over a year ago, has been 1 of the people excluded, and also there are 30 other families presently in the same dilemma. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.