Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this month elders from across the territory gathered in this Chamber for the second ever Elders Parliament. The Deh Cho riding was well represented by Mrs. Georgina Fabian from the K’atlodeeche First Nation Reserve. I especially would like to thank Mrs. Fabian for her participation, as well as all the elders who came from all over the Northwest Territories to make the Parliament a success.
The topics discussed by the elders included the proposed changes to the public housing rent scales, the need for an elders ombudsman, and care and respect for elders.
The elders worked hard throughout the week to prepare themselves for the public debate on May 10th . During the public debate they passed motions
calling for the Government of the Northwest Territories to:
• delay making any changes to the public housing
rent scales for seniors until such time as full consultation has taken place with elders, communities and the Northwest Territories Seniors’ Society;
• make public a full cost-benefit analysis of the
proposed changes to the rent scales;
• work with elders, communities and the
Northwest Territories Seniors’ Society on a comprehensive framework to ensure consistency across seniors’ programs;
• introduce legislation within one year to establish
a fully independent elders ombudsman to investigate complaints and to promote fair, reasonable, appropriate and equitable administrative practices and services for elders; and
• work with elders’ organizations and communities to identify and remove barriers in GNWT regulations, programs and institutions that prevent or hinder elders from maintaining connections to their families and communities.
The elder parliamentarians put a great deal of thought and discussion into their recommendations and I hope that the Premier and the Ministers listened carefully and take those recommendations seriously.
Also, I would also like to point out that the Elders Parliament called on all Northerners to become engaged in elders’ issues, and to work within their families and communities to identify local resources and solutions to ensure that the elders have the means to age with dignity and respect. I would encourage everyone in the Northwest Territories to hear this message and to think about what they
might be able to do in their own homes and communities to help our elders.
Once again, I thank Mrs. Fabian and all the other elder parliamentarians for their thoughtfulness and hard work. I look forward to the next Elders Parliament in two years’ time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.