Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I wanted to raise a few issues affecting elders' healthcare that have been brought to my attention by Nunakput residents.
The people of Nunakput are concerned that elders' healthcare in the region is not all it could be or even all it should be. In some cases, language is a barrier, and the lack of available translators makes it even harder, Mr. Speaker. In others, there are issues with homecare workers. Some Nunakput communities have no homecare workers, thanks to the cuts in the past that affected those positions. Elders are concerned that, without homecare workers, there is no one available to help them on a daily basis, especially elders who live alone. Mr. Speaker, the aging in place initiative leaves out the elders who live in the smaller communities across the territory, mind you, ones that are most isolated.
Mr. Speaker, we also have social workers, but they are taking on a lot of work, often including travel to multiple communities. This means that visits are far too often and far too brief. More generally, constituents have also told me that they are troubled by the lack of engagement from the health centres. Many are given Tylenol and sent home.
Mr. Speaker, we know that our population is aging and that it has consequences for all kinds of government planning. The Department of Health and Social Services has done a lot of work in assessing long-term care and needs, and the Housing Corporation is figuring out the kinds of supports, services, and infrastructure our elders will need to age in place in their home communities.
Mr. Speaker, this is not just a matter of support for elders; it is a matter of cultural safety. The government's duty is to provide culturally safe, culturally appropriate care to Indigenous people, particularly vulnerable populations like our elders. This applies to the full spectrum of healthcare, from check-ups at the health centre to routine procedures like cancer screenings to emergency care and where it is needed most.
Mr. Speaker, we need to take care of our elders, and when we plan, we need to incorporate local perspectives from our small communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker