Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to share with the elders who are watching across the Northwest Territories about the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. Mr. Speaker, winter has arrived here in all the communities across the Northwest Territories. Heavy snowfall and sudden drop in the temperature ended the moderate autumn and reminded us that we live in the Northwest Territories.
With the days getting shorter and the snow piling higher and the mercury dropping, I want to make sure that NWT residents know about the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. This program is run by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and helps elders and seniors aged 60 years or older access funds to reduce home heating costs. This can include funds to purchase cut wood, electricity, natural gas, propane and/or fuel oil, as well as newer and environmentally-friendly options like wood pellets.
If a resident is 60 years or older, owns and lives in their own home, meets a household income test and is not receiving income assistance, this program may work for them. You can complete an application or learn more about the program at the local ECE service centre.
Through the cold dark winters, sufficient home heating is an absolute necessity; there's no two ways about it, Mr. Speaker. If residents are starting to worry about paying their heating bills as colder temperatures set in, I encourage them to contact the local ECE staff to access these funds. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.