Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off, I would like to thank Member Menicoche for bringing forward this particular motion. He is quite right in the context of being concerned about our seniors. Of course, this motion speaks to the fact that we want to support and protect the seniors in future years to make sure that the Old Age Security benefit is there for them.

Mr. Speaker, doing a bit of research, I pulled up information that the parliamentary budget officer

has done. He did a study called the Federal Fiscal Sustainability of Elderly Benefits. What he has noted here, in short, without quoting it at length, is the fact that he notes that, yes, it will increase in costs in the next few years, but it has a steep decline. He also points out that it is a sustainable benefit and the fact that changes don’t necessarily need to be made. He does highlight a few areas, most particular where he talks about, he says elderly benefits are financed from the Government of Canada’s general revenues. He points out that elderly benefits program should be assessed in a broader framework of fiscal sustainability, which requires the government debt cannot ultimately grow faster than the economy. He wants to tie these two particular things together to point this out. I think it is a very good, valid observation.

The elderly in our community and in the North as well as, of course, across Canada, have done so much for bringing this to where we are today. I think that this motion here reaffirms our commitment and support to our seniors community as well as our future community.

I will leave with this, which is the fact that if all goes well, every one of us will be a senior one day, if we are not there already. It is important that we always, again, stand committed and behind those who tread the path before us. I will support this motion.

Once again, I thank the Member for Nahendeh for bringing this initiative forward so we can empower our Premier to send a northern voice and a northern perspective to Ottawa to ensure that our views are heard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.