LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Preparing for more elders and accommodating people with disabilities is a priority for the people of Fort Simpson.

GNWT Health Minister Sandy Lee heard these concerns and a number of others when she met with people in the village on May 4.

Sandy Lee, the minister of Health and Social Services, left, and Kathy Tsetso, the chief executive officer of the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority respond to questions at a public meeting in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Fort Simpson was the first stop during a ministerial tour organized by MLA Kevin Menicoche, which will take him and Lee to all of the communities in the Nahendeh riding by May 7.

As the minister of Health and Social Services and the minister responsible for people with disabilities, Lee responded to a variety of questions on those topics.

Rita Cazon asked how people with disabilities can get more financial assistance to renovate their homes to meet their needs.

"It's a pain in my ass that I can't use my wheelchair in my home," said Cazon.

There are a number of people in the community who need assistance to make changes to their homes, Cazon said.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has funding people can tap into to renovate houses, said Lee. Making other existing buildings and sidewalks accessible is the responsibility of the municipality.

"We don't do housing," said Lee about Health and Social Services.

Cazon also spoke about her efforts to make the community as a whole more accessible for people with disabilities.

There are finally wheelchair-accessible doors at the Nahendeh building and at Long Term Care, which is a step in the right direction by Deh Cho Health and Social Services (DCHSS), she said. Cazon called on DCHSS to also erect the disabled parking space sign at the health centre that she provided them with.

"I'd really like to see that up," she said.

Putting up the sign won't be a problem, said Kathy Tsetso, the chief executive officer of DCHSS.

Looking towards the future, Marilyn Lee asked if the department has plans to construct any facilities for the aging baby boomers who will soon be elders.

The GNWT and other provincial and territorial governments across Canada have been planning for the aging generation of baby boomers, said Lee.

"The government's plan is to do everything we can to allow the older generation to stay in their homes and communities," Lee said.

The plans include increasing homecare and other services that allow people to live in their homes, she said.

In Fort Simpson, the homecare staff has increased by two and now includes three home support workers, one homecare nurse and a homecare co-ordinator, said Kathy Tsetso.

During the meeting, Lee also fielded questions concerning the upcoming territorial budget and spending cuts.

Rita Cazon asked if funding for the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities would be cut as part of the budget.

Lee said she couldn't talk about specifics of the budget that will be tabled on May 22. All of the departments did have to look at their programs and find possible options of areas that could be cut, said Lee.

Candy Brown, the regional vice president for the Union of Northern Workers, reminded Lee she walked a picket line in front of the legislative assembly in 2005 to support the ferry workers. Brown asked Lee how she could support the workers then and now be part of a budget that will involve privatization.

"I didn't have to wake up the next day as a cabinet minister and become a different person," said Lee.

All of the cabinet ministers are still MLAs and are looking out for the best interests of their constituents as well as the whole territory, she said. Government spending has to be cut now before the territory is placed in a serious financial situation.

"We're responsible for the well being of our people and a big part of that is we have to be financially responsible and financially sound," said Lee.