Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to speak about long-term care for elders. Mr. Speaker, I strongly disagree with the policy of this government to charge aboriginal elders in long-term care facilities for their room and board. I have raised my concern in the House before, and I am not at all satisfied with the responses I have received to date.
Mr. Speaker, elders are revered members of this society. They have waited a long time to get old.
---Laughter
They should be able to enjoy what they can of old age. It should be a time for them. Unfortunately, under this policy, rather than taking whatever pleasure they can from their old age security, they pay around $712 per month for their accommodation. For those who depend on old age security, this leaves them with very little. This is not at all consistent with the policy for seniors in public housing, Mr. Speaker, who pay virtually nothing towards their rent. Why is it, Mr. Speaker, that elders who are most in need of assistance must pay for their accommodation while those who are able to look after themselves pay nothing towards their rent?
It is hardly the fault of those who require long-term care. Why should they be penalized? Mr. Speaker, the long-term care facilities are the last stop on this earth for the elders who make their home there. Shame on this government for not doing all that is within its powers to make the last days of our elders as comfortable as possible.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance was proud to announce a budget surplus when he tabled the budget last week. The number of elders in long-term care in the NWT is not huge, Mr. Speaker. It would not unduly burden this government to cover the housing costs for elders in long-term care as they do for those who reside in public housing. But it would make a significant difference in those people's lives. It would also be a powerful statement about the value our society places on elders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause