N.W.T. MLAs join opposition to seniors' benefits cuts

At least two Northwest Territories MLAs are joining a chorus of seniors angry with the government's planned cuts to extended health benefits, with one MLA saying he's willing to vote Health Minister Sandy Lee out of cabinet if she doesn't axe the plan.

Seniors in the territory are petitioning the government to keep benefits programs that currently cover the entire costs of dental work, glasses and prescription drugs for non-aboriginal seniors aged 60 and older.

Starting April 1, seniors will only be entitled to such benefits if they pass an income means test. Otherwise, their benefits will be discontinued.

That has prompted some seniors to consider leaving the N.W.T., which could result in the territorial government losing residents and their tax dollars, said Yellowknife Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy.

"If you do a full-cost accounting on this situation and you figure out what the ramifications of losing these people are, they're going to be far greater than the costs of some medications and some eyeglasses and some dental care," he told CBC News.

Not only do seniors pay taxes, Abernethy said, but he added the territorial government collects $22,000 for each senior in federal transfer payments. About one-third of non-aborignal seniors would be affected come April 1, he said.

MLA says 'we can't support this'

Abernethy's concerns are echoed by Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen, who said she has rarely received so many calls and letters from concerned residents in her 13 years at the N.W.T. legislature.

Groenewegen said she believesseniors will make good on their threats to leave, robbing communities of their most active volunteers and valued residents.

"I think they need to get a very clear message in the cabinet that we can't support this," she said.

"I can't support it. I won't support it, and as a matter of fact, I'll be up on my feet in the legislature ... trying to explain to the government the impact of what they're proposing."

Abernethy said he will put forward a non-confidence motion in Lee when the legislature resumes sitting early next month if she does not cancel the new plan.

"If she's unable to cancel this direction completely, I have limited confidence in her," he said.

"We need somebody who will fight for the important issues and stand up against cabinet when they need to."

Benefits 'dear to people's heart': minister

Lee acknowledged the proposed changes are significant, but she said the new program will not be scrapped even if she loses her ministerial portfolio.

"We're talking about something that's near and dear to people's heart," Lee said.

"It's about asking some people to pay for things that they never had to, so it's been a shock to the system in many different ways."

Lee said she has been looking at suggestions from concerned MLAs and seniors.