I must say quite clearly that I am somewhat aghast at the foot dragging and shuffling of my colleagues in the social envelope on this particular issue, Mr. Speaker. Very clearly there is a need to send a message which is what we are trying to do. There was a message sent months ago that met little response. Now we are being asked to place our faith in the commitment to find the money if it is available. It has been indicated to us that, in fact, the Ministers of the social envelope are now collaboratively working together which they should be applauded for. But, I would like to point as well as I speak to this motion, that we are talking about a $700 million combined budget. To tell me that now if you are bringing all these players to the table that they cannot between them all with their big hearts and bigger wallets find the money for this particular program defies belief, Mr. Speaker. I think that very clearly asking for a nominal rent of $32 a month is not an onerous burden on anybody and would help a lot to alleviate this issue. Every suggestion that we have put on this floor or in writing as a way to get funding for this program has been summarily or cursorily dismissed. So, we are at somewhat of a loss, Mr. Speaker.

I know very clearly that elders do not want welfare. Without a doubt, they do not want to be in the welfare lines for something like this. I think it is shameful that we would even suggest that is where they go. It has been indicated that there is to be a review of subsidies for elders. On one hand they are reviewing, on the other hand they are cutting at the same time. You cannot do both. In the very least, we should get a clear commitment from this government, from the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, that he is going to more than commit to the process, but will in fact commit to funding this program with his colleagues in the social envelope. To do otherwise is unacceptable and shameful. They should be hanging their heads at the thought of taking that money out of the pockets of the poor, the elderly who have worked their whole lives. Now the thanks they get is, get in the welfare line if you need help. Unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. Unacceptable.

-- Applause