Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I wanted to make a statement on page 14-13, if you would allow me, Madam Chairperson.
Madam Chairperson, I have had a chance to review the report of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services from the previous Legislative Assembly. I know that Mr. Dent is very familiar with this report, having been the chair of that very important committee, so I do not need to repeat the recommendations for Mr. Dent's sake.
However, Madam Chairperson, I believe it is important to note that the report paid special attention to the situation of elders. When the committee toured the Keewatin region, they noted in their third interim report that, "Many elders also talked about the enormous burden of trying to care for themselves on the pensions which they receive, due to the high local cost of food and other goods. They described the frustration at being unable to care for dependent children or to feed visiting grandchildren. With little money and no longer being able to hunt, they told us how it is difficult to provide for themselves, let alone other family members in need. " That was on page 3 of the interim report of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, Interim Report No. 3, dated December 1992.
Yesterday, Madam Chairperson, in my Member's statement - I believe it was yesterday or the day before -- I point out how the territorial seniors' supplement has not been increased since 1992, even though the cost of living has increased at least seven per cent in Yellowknife since that time, and I believe it has increased even more in the communities I represent.
I wish to recite recommendation number 21 of the final report of the Special Committee. It states as follows: *The adequacy of our income support payments to elders should be reviewed. These payments should more accurately reflect the high cost of living in the North and the changing cost between communities. This review should examine the programs operated by the governments of both the Territories and Canada." I have a question, Madam Chairperson. I would like to ask the honourable Minister whether such a review was ever carried out by this government.
My second question, Madam Chairperson: Does the Minister agree that such a review would be timely now?