Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the opportunity to present information on amendments to the Social Assistance Act. The changes to the Social Assistance Act will make provision for the confidentiality of information between the client and any department official involved in casework. The need to protect the client confidentiality in social assistance transactions is essential to the integrity of the social assistance program. Many jurisdictions in Canada have this aspect of the program covered in their legislation. It allows for the appointment of eight members to the social assistance appeal committee and social assistance appeal board. The chairperson of the committee or the board will be able to choose a panel of three to five persons from among the members of the committee or the board to hear an appeal.

Permanent regulations allow increases in social assistance payments to be made retroactively. With this change, increases, for example food rates, can be made earlier than the day on which the regulations were registered.

I am prepared to answer any questions Members may have. Thank you.