Mr. Mervin Tweed (Turtle Mountain): Madam Speaker, do I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Turtle Mountain have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mr. Tweed: On April 23, we celebrate Canada Book Day. Today we recognize the contributions of Manitoban and Canadian writers, illustrators and publishers to the cultural life of our province and this great country of ours. They help us preserve our history and our heritage while forging new paths into the realm of imagination. Books have provided cultural, recreational and educational enrichment and enhanced understanding throughout history and continue to be an important part of society. Canadian authors, illustrators and publishers are receiving increased worldwide recognition and Manitoba authors and publishers are holding special events today to recognize the achievements of Canadian publishers and authors.
We are very fortunate in having a flourishing arts community in Manitoba. Our writers, illustrators and publishers are gaining renown on the world stage and bringing credit to our province. We are proud of them and their achievements. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Steve Ashton (Thompson): Could I have leave for a nonpolitical statement?
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Thompson have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mr. Ashton: Madam Speaker, April 7, 1997, was a very significant day in the community of Split Lake. Sam Kitchekeesik celebrated his 100th birthday on that date surrounded by family, friends and many people in the community. In fact, it was unfortunate that a major snowstorm was on at that time because many of us were invited to attend that significant occasion. I did, however, this Monday have the opportunity to attend a small reception with the family where I was able to make a presentation on behalf of the Province of Manitoba to Sam Kitchekeesik.
I want to mention that Sam is 100 years old according to the records that we have currently. The estimates are he is actually 107 because the records are based on the baptism certificate, the only record that existed at that time. When you consider that Mr. Kitchekeesik remembers, with very clear detail, the signing of the treaty at Split Lake in 1908, I think it shows, first of all, just how much collective memory Mr. Kitchekeesik has of what has happened in northern Manitoba in his lifetime. Also, I think it is attributed to the fact that at 100 years old, Sam Kitchekeesik, who spent his life working with CN as a trapper, is as lucid today as he was 50, 60, 70 years ago.
In fact, I had a very interesting discussion with him. I must admit, I did ask him what his secret of longevity was, and there was various discussion in the family. I think I cannot repeat all the suggestions, but they were all because of the fact that Mr. Kitchekeesik is a fine individual who led a very good life. By the way, the most important part is when he was asked whether it was a long life or whether it was a good life, he said, yes, most definitely.
So happy birthday, once again, to Sam Kitchekeesik. Happy 100th birthday, and I look forward to many more birthdays ahead. Thank you.
Mr. Conrad Santos (Broadway): I would like to make a nonpolitical statement about Age and Opportunity. May I have leave of the House?
Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Broadway have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]
Mr. Conrad Santos (Broadway): Age and Opportunity Inc. will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in several locations, including the location in my riding at 185 Smith Street. As we know, Age and Opportunity provides seniors with the social link that is needed in our lives, whether we are young or old.
We cannot exist alone. It was King Solomon who said: Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour, for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they can have heat, but how can one be warm alone? No person is an island in himself. Everyone is a social being and being socially linked with others, with family, with friends, with acquaintances is good medicine for many of our social ailments.
More important than medical factors perhaps, like stress level or cholesterol or body weights or regular checkups, is having acquaintances and friends connected to our lives, to be linked to some social group or to some community organization. Why is that?
Our mind and our body and our social environment work as one integrated system. Scientific research has shown that there will be unfavourable changes. If there are unfavourable changes in one's network of human relationships like family and friends that are adverse to us, regardless of age we suffer physically. For example, there was a comparative study of men who lost their spouses in certain stages of their lives and also along with it some students who have lived away from home. They both reported loneliness, and it was revealed that in both groups they have weakened antibody responses.
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Our immune system gets weaker with a lack of human companionship. Our feeling with our body is the best indicator. Any human being who is isolated, who is a loner, lacking any link with others or any link with any social group will display symptoms of physical and mental distress. So we had to cope with being alone, with being isolated in our lives. With social and technological changes around us, we or others who belong to the seniors group are facing new challenges, but there are also new opportunities.
On this 40th anniversary of our social organization, which we appropriately call Age and Opportunity, we are charting new roles for our senior citizens. As our children grow up, as they inevitably leave us and live on their own, leave us behind, sometimes our partners and our spouses may be lost to that or to divorce, we find ourselves alone facing the world. Instead of despairing, this is what we should say to ourselves: This is a great opportunity for us to create in us a new person physically, mentally and socially. We can do that, and Age and Opportunity presents the opportunity for us.
Mentally, we know that a sound mind emerges from a sound body. If we are physically healthy, more or less, we can expect to be also mentally healthy. If we are physiologically healthy and we are mentally alert, we are able to do those things that are pleasant and useful to us, like reading a book, listening to good music, even enrolling in some lifelong learning in our educational institution regardless of our age. Age and Opportunity presents us with such an opportunity in our lives. On its 40th anniversary, I wish to extend wishes to the leadership of Age and Opportunity, to their staff members, to their membership. They certainly deserve our moral and substantial support of our levels of government so that they can help our seniors in the waning years of their lives. Thank you.