Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a legislator, I believe in the principle that the performance of a government is measured by how well we take care of the most vulnerable in our society. One of the most vulnerable I believe are our seniors, Mr. Speaker, and I
am glad to see two distinguished seniors, Ed Jeske and Esther Braden, in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I must tell you that our seniors need the help of this government to deal with the housing crisis. In Yellowknife in particular, Mr. Speaker, our housing market is on a runaway train. The lack of supply to meet overwhelming demands has the prices skyrocketing with no end in sight. We are seeing a situation where people are buying houses at higher prices than the listed price. This is making it hard even for the young with steady incomes and jobs, but it is really making it impossible for our senior citizens on fixed incomes. Even those seniors, Mr. Speaker, who have houses paid for and have no mortgages are having a hard time covering the high cost of fuel, power, water and taxes, which all have been rising. Those without adequate income or affordable housing are really in dire straits. They are lining up for limited spaces in low-cost units, but these line-ups are very long, and they are not moving very fast or getting any shorter. I believe a group of seniors that are really suffering are those with a small income, but incomes too high to qualify for income support or social housing, but not enough to buy or maintain their own housing. They are completely being left on the sideline and ignored.
Mr. Speaker, it is high time that this government act on the principle of elevating the quality of life for the most vulnerable, and to also act on the knowledge that the seniors are the fastest growing population in the Northwest Territories. We have to have a plan in place to figure out how to address the unique needs of seniors. We need to have independent housing units that are affordable that meet the physical and financial needs of our growing population of seniors.
Mr. Speaker, I believe it is a very good thing that many of our senior citizens are choosing to retire in the North. Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?