Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my honourable colleague, the Member for Hay River, in condemning the government's failure to restore full funding for the Seniors' Fuel Subsidy Program. As my colleague pointed out yesterday, Cabinet has received a clear statement of support for this program. The public wants it back. The Members of our Social Services Committee have shown us how to pay for it. What more needs to be said?

Mr. Speaker, last fall I attended a meeting sponsored by the City of Yellowknife that dealt with the problems seniors face in my community. About 30 people showed up. They talked about safety, housing, recreation, and shrinking government programs. I left the meeting with a troublesome thought. The seniors said politicians have been playing a game of bluff. At all levels of government, elected representatives make motherhood statements acknowledging the contribution seniors make to our communities. The seniors feel that the same leaders cut or clawback support programs when budget time rolls around. This is a double standard. In my community, it will eventually drive seniors to places where the cost of living is less of a burden. I am glad that the government is launching a review of services offered to seniors. This project should be completed as quickly as possible. We need a clear cut policy on the support that we will give to our elders. Our current piecemeal approach is confusing and frustrating. I fear that it will push away the people we are trying to help.

Mr. Speaker, the seniors in my community acknowledge the governments fiscal problems. They are prepared to contribute to balancing the budget, but we cannot expect them to accept an uncoordinated, rejigging of support programs. We owe it to seniors to develop a clear cut policy that will be applied fairly and in consultation with them and communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause