I think one of the biggest cost drivers we have as governments, and other governments throughout Canada or around the world for that matter, is the aging demographics that we’re starting to see in regard to the baby boomer population. It is now coming that that age and that’s going to be one of the higher population service areas in all governments and I think that we can’t rely on statistics from 2006. I think that we need to get more actual statistics on what those real numbers are. I think that we’re projecting 2026 in regard to that population.

So I think that just for statistical information we have an opportunity here coming up shortly in the next statistics in the Northwest Territories by Stats Canada, I think it’s 2011, and I think that’s something that we should very much demand is that part of the collection of data and information does look at the aging of population and the demographics in regard to the disabled, the frail and the actual type of care people need. So I think it’s something that we have to be cognizant of and realize the importance of community programs.

I think a lot of times when it comes to community programs we’re sort of the poor second cousins and all the bigger facilities seem to be built at the regional level. We need to start looking at developing these systems from the centre up, not from the community down. So I think that we do have to change that concept and actually see programs and services being delivered in those communities, and for the aging population that are being treated differently simply because of where they live, those days should be over.

I’d like to ask the Minister, you keep referring to the different types of care, regardless of if it’s in home care, but, again, a lot of times in our communities it’s treated differently because it’s based on population distribution. It’s based on half days, it’s not a full-time position. I think to be realistic about the programs and services, in order to make them work you have to have a full gamut of programs and services that work like any other larger centre such as the Inuvik region. The only community that has larger numbers than the Inuvik region, 250, is Yellowknife with 305. For 18,000 people having 305 elders over 70 compared to the Inuvik region of 250, that tells me demographically there are a lot more elders in the Inuvik region spread out over a wider area and in more communities than in

Yellowknife. I think that has to be seriously taken into consideration.

So I’d like to get some assurance from the Minister that they will seriously take a look at this and ensure that we actually have programs that really work for the elders’ care in our communities and long-term care, regardless if it’s a long-term care facility or it’s one notch down from that type of care, 24-hour care. Make it 23-hour care and that way we’ll be satisfied. So we’ll give you an hour back. How’s that for savings?