Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if hearing aids are covered under our medical coverage, but I think the Minister should enquire.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, there has been increased interest in oil and gas exploration in the Northwest Territories over the past few months. While we spend a lot of time talking about mining, there is a lot of interest in the territories in the area of oil and gas. My question to the Minister is, what is the Minister's department doing to ensure that the different regions of the Northwest Territories can maximize opportunities in the oil and gas field?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the last few weeks we have talked a lot about mining. At the same time we're talking about mining, there seems to be increased interest in oil and gas exploration and activity in the Northwest Territories. My question to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is, what is the department doing to maximize the potential for the regions of the Northwest Territories to take advantage of the increased interest in oil and gas activity?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my executive assistant for six years, John Stephenson, who shared with me the ups and downs of politics. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, everything that we are and that our children can be, we owe to seniors and elders. They've asked to be partners with government, they've asked to take control of their own destiny, Mr. Speaker, we owe them no less. Thank you, very much.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the NWT Senior' Society unveiled their seniors' housing and social needs study.

---Applause

It is my understanding that the territorial Minister, Mr. Morin, and also senior territorial civil servants were there as the seniors unveiled this study. Some of the major recommendations of the study are as follows, Mr. Speaker:

- As there is a shortage of affordable and accessible housing in the Northwest Territories, new approaches for shelter must be developed for delivery to seniors by the public and private sectors;

- An overhaul of the current income security system for seniors in the Northwest Territories is required because the majority of seniors have low incomes and currently support spending is not focused;

- The delivery of programs for seniors is fragmented and lacks coordination. A long-term, holistic approach to seniors' needs, managed and directed by a senior government agency, in the NWT is needed. One of the first objectives of an agency dedicated to seniors should be to undertake a comprehensive evaluation to appraise seniors' services in the Northwest Territories;

- Renewed emphasis on home support and coordinated home care, as a primary means for promoting "aging in place" is advised;

- Institutional facilities to care for the needs of frail elders and those suffering from physical and mental disabilities should be developed;

- The abuse of seniors is reported to be widespread in the Northwest Territories and further research and reporting, as well as a public information campaign, is essential to safeguard seniors from abuse;

- Promotion and maintenance of proactive seniors' programs that encourage healthy nutrition, fitness, recreation and social development contribute to the long-term well-being of seniors. These programs should be enhanced and increased.

- A senior management information system which measures and tracks the costs in use of services by seniors is recommended, especially in light of public sector spending restraint.

Mr. Speaker, we owe a debt of gratitude and thanks to Esther Braden, the president and to the NWT Seniors' Society. We, as legislators, often talk about the importance of seniors and elders to our society and to our lives.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as long as the Minister understands that there is a very, very serious problem in Yellowknife, we understand that money is short. Together, we can come up with some imaginative solutions. I will ask the Minister if he would be available during the next couple of weeks to have that meeting and see if we can start on the road to a solution to a very serious problem.

Thank you. I don't know if the Minister has ever read the book "Waiting For Godot," but I was waiting also; waiting for the Minister to announce publicly what he is going to do. Once we saw exactly what we had to work with, I thought we would sit down with the mayor and the Yellowknife MLAs and decide imaginative ways to augment that. It seems that we both have been waiting. What aspect of this will be in the budget? There are studies being done by the RCMP themselves right now. When can we expect the results of those studies?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not exactly sure what the Minister means. There has been a request for a number of police officers. There have been suggestions to set up auxiliary police. There have been suggestions to augment Crime Stoppers. There have been suggestions for a program to support the police bureaucracy, so more police will be on the streets. Perhaps the Minister can tell us what questions will be answered and when.

Mr. Speaker, my question would be to the Minister of Justice. My colleague, Mr. Dent, talked about a petition from the people of Yellowknife, 1,200 names, which is the largest petition in the history of Yellowknife. It is regarding the fear out there that there isn't adequate policing. Mr. Speaker, this issue has been on the floor of this House for a year and a half. We have asked many questions of the Minister, given him many suggestions of how he can deal with this problem and we are waiting with anticipation for him to tell us how he intends to deal with the problem in Yellowknife of inadequate policing.