Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Madam Minister, would you want to respond to that?
Debates of Feb. 18th, 1993
Topics
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can appreciate the Member's concern. This appeal committee is similar to a court appeal committee. This committee is not representing interest groups like an organization, that is where it is different.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think we should be setting an example within the country, as I stated earlier, that the majority, 50 plus one, should be the quorum of any body within the system. That is where we are coming from, but I will speak to that when the motions come about. Thank you.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
An Hon. Member
Clause by clause.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
The Chair Tony Whitford
Clause by clause. Just one moment. Thank you. Are there no additional general comments? I am sorry, I did not recognize the government side.
---Laughter
It is a fault of mine. The chair recognizes Mr. Pollard.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
John Pollard Hay River
Mr. Chairman, I wish to ask the indulgence of the committee to take a ten minute break to discuss this with the Minister, if you would not mind. Thank you.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
The Chair Tony Whitford
If it is the committee's wish, we will recognize a ten minute break.
---SHORT RECESS
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 490
The Chair Tony Whitford
The committee will come to order. We took a ten minute recess in order to clarify a misunderstanding of a question or series of questions. That recess was called at the request of Mr. Pollard. We were going
to go clause by clause, but are there any other comments Members may wish to make on Bill 5 before we continue with clause by clause? General comments. Thank you. I knew I would get more. Mr. Koe.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Fred Koe Inuvik
My question, which I really did not get an answer on, is whether the volume of work they were doing warranted this increase and whether the increased manpower which has been requested on these committees has been appropriately budgeted for. The answer I received was yes. If that is the case then there are financial implications here that are not in this bill. If there are financial implications then why did this bill not go forward to the Standing Committee on Finance?
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It reads, "An appeal committee shall be composed of not few than three and not more than five members, including a chairperson appointed by the commissioner." This increase up to eight is only to get the selection during the summer months when many of these members are out on the land so they can get a quorum of three, which is more than 50 per cent of five.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Fred Koe Inuvik
What about the financial issue?
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Koe. Madam Minister, please answer the second part of the question.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
On the financial part, if the committee can constitute a quorum of three, not all eight are required to be there. It is only for the purpose of selection in the community when they need a quorum of three that these extra people are needed. They are there to be called upon if they are needed. They are not required at every meeting.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Fred Koe Inuvik
I know that, but can all eight attend the meeting?
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It says here "composed of not fewer than three and not more than five."
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Fred Koe Inuvik
I can read that and I can see the clause on page two. When you had five members, could all five attend? Now you are going to increase them to eight. My question is can all eight attend?
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
The Chair Tony Whitford
Thank you, Mr. Koe. Madam Minister, I believe you answered the question before, but I will allow you to answer the question again if you wish.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 491
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No.