Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to speak again about the senior fossil fuel subsidy. Ordinary Members of this House and the Social Programs Committee members have repeatedly expressed their objection to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment's position on the subsidy of fossil fuel to seniors in the Northwest Territories. Despite lengthy discussions, impassioned pleas, and intelligent reasoning, Minister Dent has not seen fit to leave this $250,000 item of support to seniors in the 1997/98 budget. The Minister told us that if we wanted to leave this expenditure in place, the money for it will have to be found some place else within the department.

Several reasonable and viable options for the revenue could be found or a reduction made were offered up. This subsidy is part of a larger issue of fairness and consistency in support to seniors. A system of programs which very obviously has many flaws and gaps. After all this discussion, I have to ask myself a question I often ask my children, who appear at times to have selective hearing, am I having a conversation with myself? I question the Minister's hearing in this instance as well.

Are Ordinary Members who feel very strongly about this subsidy having a conversation with ourselves? What part of leave it in the budget does the Minister not understand? It is my understanding that a comprehensive review of support to seniors is underway, or going to be undertaken. While I applaud this measure, which will look at things such as income thresholds, age, and eligibility, I would like to see the fossil fuel subsidy remain in the budget. Further, there be a moratorium on any reductions in support to seniors until such time as a fair and integrated proposal is brought forward and adopted. If such a moratorium on changes to support to seniors is not agreed to by the Minister, I think that a boycott of the consideration of the budget of Education, Culture and Employment in this House would be in order. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause