Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS elders make up 9 percent of the population of the Northwest Territories and this population segment is increasing faster than the remainder of the population;

AND WHEREAS the aging population has an obvious need for long-term care facilities;

AND WHEREAS many elders contribute to their communities, teaching traditional skills and knowledge and helping sustain aboriginal languages;

AND WHEREAS when elders remain in their respective home communities they continue to have the support and company of their family and friends;

AND WHEREAS there is evidence of community need for long-term care facilities as demonstrated by recent correspondence from the Tetlit Gwich’in Council that indicated there were 123 elders over the age of 60 in Fort McPherson, of which 25 elders are between 80 and 96 years of age;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a program for community long-term care facilities for elders and that funding for construction of such facilities be included in the 2011-2012 Capital Budget.