Thank you, Madam Minister. General comments. Mr. Koe.
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 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
Are there additional financial implications on this bill?
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. No.
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 will go back to my previous question. Do appeal committee members get an honorarium when they meet? That is one question. The other question is do they get an honorarium or fee when they do not meet? Is there a retainer?
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, do members receive an honorarium other than only for attendance?
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
Mr. Chairman, they get an honorarium but they do not get a retainer.
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
Are there additional financial implications if we pass this bill?
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. If the appeals increase by a great number, yes there might be, but if the flow will be the way it has been there is no implication.
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, Madam Minister. Mr. Koe, is that the end of your line of questioning? I will then recognize Mrs. Marie-Jewell, Mr. Zoe and then Mr. Gargan.
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
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Chairman, I think the problem is the fact that the Minister is trying to set up a system similar to committees. Take for example, with the House, the Standing Committee on Finance. You have seven members and you have two or three alternate members. I believe what she is trying to set up is a system where she can count on five members to compose her committee and three additional members as alternate members or that she can tap into to use. This bill does not reflect that. This bill says that she will set up eight members and the committee will only consist of five sitting members where three must make a quorum.
With this system she is putting in place, the chairperson is in a difficult position because a chairperson doing his/her duty would send a notice to all eight members to indicate there is an appeal to find out who can attend to make a quorum. If it so happens you get all eight members wanting to attend then what does the chairperson do? The chairperson will have to decide what five members will attend. I do not believe that is proper. The chairperson will have to determine which five members will attend first and then decide whether or not they
can get a quorum and whether they have to tap into these other three additional members.
The bill is not drafted to reflect the intention of what the Minister wants to do. I would suggest we defer this bill until it can reflect three additional members as alternate members to this committee. That way it would address the Members' concerns. 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 492
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This way is the more efficient way to do it. It says, "shall be 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 492
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The chairperson selects from three to five out of eight members.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Mr. Chairman, the concern of the Members is under subsection 2.2 in general comments, that the appeal committee shall be composed of not fewer than three and not more than eight members. It is up to the chairperson to look for five members for the appeal, which three constitute a quorum. We are concerned about the fact that, out of your eight members, you are only going to look for five. Out of those five, at least three of them will make a quorum. How does the chairperson determine what five he wants to attend the appeal committee?
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is up to the chairperson.
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492
Jeannie Marie-Jewell Thebacha
Perhaps I will reword my question. What criteria does the chairperson use to determine which members they will invite to attend this appeal committee?
Bill 5: An Act To Amend The Social Assistance Act
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 492