Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be brief in my comments on this issue, as there has been a number of ordinary Members who have spoken on the proposed elders' residential rent schedule.
Mr. Speaker, I stated in this Chamber last week that six of the seven residents in the Arviat elders' centre will be vacating the centre because of the increase in rent and their lack of funding. Mr. Speaker, these elders have worked and struggled on the land for the past 50 years. I do not want to compare East to West, and I will not do so, but I will refer to the eastern elders and their meagre existence during their life on the land. Mr. Speaker, we all know and are aware of the hardship and the extreme climate that our elders had to endure in the early days. Their work consisted of daily survival and the nomadic search for food and shelter. To compound the situation, they also had to raise a family.
Mr. Speaker, one has to only scan this year's budget to see the millions and millions of dollars being spent on various projects, some of which I question their merit.
Mr. Speaker, the Finance Minister has publicly stated on many occasions that the budget will not be balanced on the backs of the poor and less fortunate. Mr. Speaker, with this statement, I naturally understood it to include our precious elders; I surely hope so. Mr. Speaker, we recently heard my fellow MLA for Thebacha speak in the House regarding Mother's Day and the love and admiration that we hold for our parents.
Mr. Speaker, I need not say any more on this issue and further request the support of my fellow Members on this important motion, as it will illustrate that we are indeed practising what we preach and not just posturing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.