Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

If the Department of Personnel is concluded we could proceed with the Department of Social Services.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the opportunity to provide opening remarks to the Assembly on behalf of the Department of Social Services.

The major thrusts of the budget for this year are as follows: operating costs of $304,000 for opening a new alcohol and drug treatment centre in Iqaluit; $705,000 cost of living increases for alcohol and drug workers; an increase of $1.5 million in social assistance to cover greater demand and $1 million for the improved food allowance; $170,000 for the senior citizens' supplementary benefits; and, the opening of two new personal care homes for elders on the Hay River Reserve, $254,000, and in Fort Franklin, $277,000.

There are 204 indeterminate person years and 15.2 casual person years associated with this funding. Revenue for the period is estimated at $28.5 million.

Mr. Chairman, this completes my budget presentation and I am prepared to answer any questions Members may have.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. One of the committee Members summarized it well when he said, "Communities have to heal themselves."

The Department of Social Services must provide leadership, support and direction to the communities to help them take responsibility for providing solutions to local social problems. Major improvement is an urgent matter. We must reduce social service dependency, and remove systemic barriers to effective independent living. An integrated social services strategy is an urgent matter. The committee was disturbed by the fact that no effort has been made to develop one, despite previous committee recommendations.

The committee expects the Minister to provide leadership and start to work on a plan. If, at the committee stage, we identify shortcomings in the plan, the plan can be modified. To sit back and say, "We are not going to do anything until recommendations come from a standing or special committee" is totally inappropriate.

Each region and community needs a social services strategy to start seeing results. We see many pressing needs to address and, to date, we lack a rational plan to guide these activities.

With respect to day care, the committee understands that the department is lapsing $1 million in this program. Meanwhile, we recognize that because of the funding formulas there have been some problems with getting adequate funds to day care operators. Knowing this program is being transferred to the Department of Education on April 1, the committee will be watching very carefully to see that the problems with day care in terms of funding, funding formulas and regulations are addressed by the Department of Education before the next main estimates.

The day care program has to be re-examined. There must be consideration given to broadening the scope and allowing more latitude so it is not just people who have jobs or are returning to school who can qualify for day care. We must recognize that providing day care space can help support economic initiatives within the community. People will identify economic opportunities and move towards them if the program is broadened.

Mr. Chairman, that concludes the committee's remarks. I have two motions.

I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education re-examine the day care program with a view to broadening its scope and facilitating economic initiatives. Thank you.

The motion is in order. To the motion. We do not have a quorum. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Chairman, can I have a copy of the motion? What is the motion?

To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My second recommendation is, I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Social Services identify and redirect any potential lapsed funds to support continuing improvements in alcohol and drug worker salaries and food allowance rates. Thank you.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes the remarks from the Standing Committee on Finance. Thank you.