In the wintertime, many of the seniors are kind of locked up. Not locked up, but they're in there in the facilities. They don't have, really, an ability to get out on their own. I am just wondering: does your department have anything in place to allow that to happen, to take them outside the building during the wintertime so they can get a little fresh air and also a little sightseeing?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The mental and physical wellbeing of our seniors is very important to me, and I would like to ask the Minister of Health: what process in place does her department have to ensure that the workers would engage the residents in the community to assist in visiting the seniors and helping out? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to talk about seniors, and more specifically, to those seniors residing in the care facilities operated by this government.

Madam Speaker, prior to her passing, my mother lived in one of those facilities for a number of years. She was somewhat reluctant to move in at first, but once she was settled and realized that some of her friends were there, it became easier to adjust. While living in the facility, she was always visited and surrounded by family and friends. This was very important to her.

However, Madam Speaker, not all seniors have family and/or friends, and thereby find themselves alone. Although my mother is no longer in the facility in Hay River, I still try and visit the people there and take some of the foods that they probably shouldn't have, because it is about respect for our seniors, their quality of life, and it is the right thing to do.

Madam Speaker, when I visit these seniors, some may or may not remember me, but one thing they all have in common is that they are pleased to be able to have a conversation with someone. They all have stories to tell. They all have family members somewhere, and they will let you know how much they miss those members, and how proud they are of them.

We expect our staff to interact with the residents. They are busy as well, however, the staff have tasks they have to accomplish throughout their shift during the day. There are activity coordinators on site who also interact and provide the residents of its facility with recreational opportunities. The number of staff is not sufficient to provide the personal interaction time the residents need.

I'm not asking for more staff as it is important that in addition to families, we should look at engaging the community. It may be as simple as encouraging the local seniors' society, students, or businesses that would be willing to offer a few hours of their time to visit, which I know the seniors would find rewarding.

Madam Speaker, the seniors in these facilities or who may be at home alone need that social interaction. They need to be physically active. They need to feel like they can still contribute. They need to be shown they matter, and most important, they need to know they are loved. Madam Speaker, we have to slow down and reflect on what is important to us, and remember exactly why we are here. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just on other potential revenue, I guess what I would like to see the Minister do is to take a look at some of the loans that we have out there, and take a look at what they're for. If they are related to items that, the cost of living in the territories is high, and we've got hydro. We've got power. We've got fuel. We've got all that stuff that's fairly high. There are other costs, as well. What I'd like to see is the department take a look as to why we have loans, what are those loans for, and can we go to the federal government to try and get some dollars to reduce those loans on the basis that it's costly to live in the Northwest Territories; it's costly to operate in the Northwest Territories. I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done there, because that seems to be one of the areas that we could look at for additional revenue. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to talk about the small business tax, as well. I think that rate, I'm not sure what it is, around the 4 percent or something like that, which is higher than, probably, anywhere in Canada. I know, the last Assembly, there was a move to try and eliminate that for a period of time, and it got shot down before it even hit the floor. I am wondering if this Minister is not only willing to look at the rate, but also looking at maybe eliminating it for a period of time to assist small businesses, which would allow them to use those funds to help spur the economy in their areas, in their regions? Thank you, Madam Chair.

No, that's all. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Would the Minister provide some insight as to why an Aboriginal group would not sign on to the devolution agreement? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So who makes up the Intergovernmental Council? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So the parties that are not signatories, are there monies set aside for those parties in anticipation that they will sign on? Thank you, Madam Chair.