Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of my ongoing concerns on the floor of the Assembly here has been the need for affordable and adequate housing for every person in the Northwest Territories. One of the fastest growing housing and care issues that we have in the NWT is for Alzheimer's and dementia patients, Mr. Speaker. In Canada, one in 13 people over the age of 65 has a dementia disease. One in four Canadian families is affected by it. Mr. Speaker, 83,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. It is growing. By the turn of the decade that will grow to 111,000 new cases a year.

Mr. Speaker, the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors has been a strong advocate for seniors' facilities and for this particular type of care here in the NWT. I'd like to acknowledge again, this can't be done enough, Mr. Speaker, the outstanding contributions of the volunteer members of this board and their administration of the service that they've performed in bringing this to the fore and getting things done.

Mr. Speaker, more has also taken place for families themselves, families supporting the victims of this disease who have come together to help themselves. We have in Yellowknife, at least, a chapter of the Alberta Alzheimer's Society. These families have formed their own support group and they are meeting regularly. They are doing more to help themselves.

Here in the NWT government, Mr. Miltenberger has been supportive of the association's efforts to move things along. A consultant's study was received in June and this study clearly substantiates the growing need for a dementia facility and it goes on to outline the philosophy of care and requirement. The need for a dementia facility is here today and it will continue to grow.

The association is now looking for further resources to move along to the next stage of facility development. There's an urgent need, Mr. Speaker, and I'll be asking the Minister later on during question period what the status is of our support. Thank you.