Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to focus the attention of this House on a very important segment of our population. I am speaking about seniors who live in the Northwest Territories. As you know, this is Seniors Week, a time to recognize and honour our elders.
Mr. Speaker, NWT seniors currently make up about 4 percent of our population. It is expected that by the year 2018, this figure will rise to 12 percent. We can all benefit from the wisdom of our seniors. They have a lot to offer and we must not forget that.
To that end, Mr. Speaker, the government has, through its strategic planning document Towards a Better Tomorrow, made a commitment to seniors and all citizens of the Northwest Territories, for a safe, secure and respectful environment. In addition, this Assembly has outlined as one of its goals to have "elders who are well supported by their communities and able to live independently".
Each of us has a duty to recognize the contributions that seniors have made in building our great land. Through toil and hardship, they persevered in conditions that many of us have never known. Today, seniors play a productive and beneficial role in our society. They are one of our most valuable resources.
Many seniors today still take active responsibility for family life, caring for and guiding the younger generations. We often look to our elders for advice and support, drawing upon their wisdom and their experiences to address our own problems. In short, Mr. Speaker, directly or indirectly, seniors enrich all our lives.
It is our duty, Mr. Speaker, to support and assist seniors in what should be their golden years. We should remember that, whatever our dealings with seniors, we must treat them with the respect to which they are entitled.
Additionally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind all Members that we need to remain true to the principles set out by the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for Seniors when developing policies and programs that affect seniors. These principles are dignity, independence, participation, fairness and security.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, in honour of Seniors' Week I ask that you and the Members of this House join me in recognizing the value of our seniors here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause