Mr. Speaker, the last year hundreds of Northerners who rely on extended health benefits were suddenly confronted by new income thresholds driven by cuts which would determine who our health system would support with the costs of their medication and who were now on their own.

This so-called rationalization of a crucial health care benefit has caused serious anxiety and hardship. These income thresholds are unfair to my constituents struggling with a cost of living crisis alongside the fact that many are already paying out of pocket for other necessary health services like home care and accessibility supports.

When these changes were announced, I also received calls from many seniors who were concerned their benefits were at risk too. But I was able to reassure them that the Minister of Health and Social Services has made it clear to this House, and to Northerners, that seniors' benefits would not be touched. But, Mr. Speaker, lo and behold, several seniors in my Range Lake riding were recently charged for over-the-counter medications and initially I believed this had just been an honest mistake, but I was shocked to find out it was I who was mistaken because somewhere along the way that promise to not touch seniors' benefits wasn't as much as a guarantee as we were led to believe. But we were able to push back, and the Minister was able to assure us that these constituents would not have to pay a cent for their medication because that was the right thing to do.

Yet I am still deeply concerned that these changes were made and proposed in the first place, and they could even return, Mr. Speaker, as in an email I've received, the Minister's office has stated, quote, "a decision has been made not to proceed with changes to the coverage for over-the-counter products under extended health benefits program at this time." Let me be perfectly clear, when I say the time to charge seniors for their medication is never - not after further consultation, not after establishing a new income threshold, never. And if the Minister can see the wisdom in reversing cuts to seniors' benefits, it's time she opened her eyes to the strain it is causing on other Range Lakers and reinstate full extended health benefits to all Northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.