Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Everyone here in the House has a warm feeling for their grandparents. None of us can imagine them living in hardship, because of our government decision to start saving money at their expense. But this is exactly what is happening to the elders in my constituency, and the rest of the Northwest Territories. This government has made changes to the Seniors' Fossil Fuel Subsidy, in order to save. A single elder has to earn less than $13,000 a year, and a couple has to earn less than $31,000 a year. This means in order to qualify for the subsidy, it has to be made, that you are virtually on poverty.
Senior homeowners have also been hit in another way. This government recently axed the homeownership property tax rebate program. This takes away another small benefit from our seniors who have made an investment in their own homes. Our government has stated that our income support program is designed to make sure people are not left with the cost, and are not going hungry. This year, winter has arrived early. Ferry systems are shut down in the Mackenzie Delta. Grise Fiord were not able to get their supplies for the winter, because of the early winter season.
Weather will cause the prices in these communities to go up.
I hope the government is right, and is prepared to help people. We need to get our priorities straight. While this government cuts programs to seniors, and keeps programs which provide temporary finances for furnishings for Ministers, while they stay in Yellowknife. As we look at the business plans for next year, we need to take a good look at the big picture. Who is it going to hurt, where are the cuts going to come from. When we look at the priorities in regards to focusing on things close to home, and put faces and people to those cuts...Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent, to conclude my statement.