Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Social Programs Committee recently had lunch with the NWT Seniors Advisory Council, and I just wanted to read a brief note that they sent us following that meeting.
The NWT Seniors Advisory Council would like to thank you for the luncheon and the opportunity to meet you and the committee. We appreciated the open and candid discussions. As promised, I am enclosing a copy of a letter the Advisory Council addressed to Minister Dent, regarding the fossil fuel program. The Advisory Council agree that the fuel program is very valuable and still much needed and wanted. We passed a motion to recommend to Minister Dent that no further reductions be made to the 1997/98 fuel program. The Advisory Council also passed a motion supporting Minister Ng to have the social envelope review all programs available to seniors and elders. The Advisory Council would want to have representation in this process from the beginning, and not consulted after the draft. The Advisory Council also recommended to Minister Ng to look at the feasibility of having one department responsible for all seniors programs and benefits. We hope that you will support us with your recommendations.
This is dated February 3, 1997, and it came from the NWT Seniors Advisory Council. Thank you.