Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to speak on the issue of seniors. Mr. Speaker, seniors in the Northwest Territories have raised many of us. They have raised us and taught us their values. They have paid their dues, so to speak, Mr. Speaker. They have paid for their own way and many continue indeed to pay their own way. Many continue to own and maintain their own homes.
In these days of increasing costs, it is becoming more difficult for seniors to remain independent. Mr. Speaker, I refer specifically to the seniors' fuel subsidy. As increasing costs for fuel in the Northwest Territories impacts seniors, it is becoming more difficult for them to remain in their own homes. Homes that they have built, and in many cases with their own hands, and that remain in their families.
We have some programs in the Government of the Northwest Territories for seniors who do not have their own homes, and we have stepped in to protect those seniors in those situations. For seniors who remain in their own homes, we have limited programs that continue to shrink as the years go by. Mr. Speaker, I raise this concern and will question the appropriate Minister as we get into question period on the seniors' fuel subsidy in the hope that we will be looking to work with the seniors to keep them independent and a valued part of our community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.