Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today in the aftermath of our Finance Minister's bold and ambitious budget in which he announced spending the likes of which we have not seen for a long time, I want to draw some attention to a sector of our society that probably had little to celebrate from what they heard.
I refer, Mr. Speaker, to our residents with disabilities. The difficulty and frustration these people go through just trying to make ends meet is deplorable. As legislators, we should be ashamed for not responding to their needs. Mr. Speaker, if any of them were listening yesterday, they may have gotten momentarily excited when Mr. Handley announced $300,000 to deliver specialized programs and services to persons with disabilities.
Then he went on to say that amount was also for seniors, for persons in correctional institutions and to monitor, report and promote the use of plain language within government.
Mr. Speaker, a small percentage of our disabled -- less than five percent, according to statistics -- are trying desperately to retain their own homes, thereby holding on to some sense of independence and dignity. In the face of rising costs, especially in heating fuels, this has become impossible for some. They are resigned to the fact, Mr. Speaker, that they must live in poverty.
In January, the Northwest Territories Council for Disabled Persons held a conference as a follow-up to the Northwest Territories needs assessment report, Living with Disability, Living with Dignity. This conference was attended by more than 160 people impacted by disability, and they were from almost every community in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, many of the participants have written a personal letter to our Premier expressing the problems and frustrations they experience every day. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that our Premier will take those letters seriously and borrow a line from the budget: it is time to invest now so that they too can have a better tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause