Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

What is the projected amount of expenditures overall for social assistance? Can we get those figures? What have we spent on social assistance in total? I am trying to determine how much of that social assistance component is spent on food only. I know she said $22 million, but what is the total that she anticipates as the projected amount for social assistance?

Thank you. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is $27 million total.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Last year's estimates came to over $4 million. This department has asked for social assistance again in the budget, projecting $22 million for food to be expended. Members have asked this continuously, is there any consideration toward the increase of the food allowance? Has there been any indication whether or not Members can feel at ease in advising their constituents, when they go back home, that there may be an increase in food allowances, taking into account that the five per cent food allowance increase in October cost this government $948,000

out of the $22 million budget for food? If you are going to look at ten per cent, you are going to look at an increase of $2.2 million, but your five per cent is under $1 million. Is there any indication that the Minister can give to this House at this time whether consideration for the increase of food allowance is going to be forthcoming? Thank you.

Thank you. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I have indicated in my Minister's statement today, we are going to be doing a comprehensive review of the food allowance. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there general comments? Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Chairman, I read the Minister's statement before I decided to make my general comments. That is what I have asked. That is why I want some assurance. Mr. Chairman, I am seriously deliberating putting forth a motion, and I am sure my colleagues would support me, directing the government to do an increase to social assistance food allowances. I am trying to give the government as much leverage as they need to address this matter. The Minister's statement indicates that it remains a priority of our government and they will give serious consideration over the next few months. You can interpret that many different ways. You can interpret it saying, "Yes, we would like to increase it, but we do not have the money to increase it." I can understand the rationale for not being able to confirm an increase, but there has to be some indication by this government, before this session adjourns, to try to address the serious concern of the Members on the social assistance food allowances for social assistance recipients. Thank you.

Thank you. Ms. Cournoyea.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Minister of Health has indicated this is an issue that we fully realize has to be addressed. As well, she has also indicated that it is a priority issue that we have to deal with one way or the other. I know there is some apprehension because there is not a specific number in the budget for 1993-94. However, given the Minister's statement and realization that this is a very much a priority concern in this House, we had anticipated addressing the issue once we came up with some kind of formula that would take care of the issues which are out there.

I want to bring to the attention of the House that we do have a supplementary reserve for inflation. That could be used to adjust rates which would then be reflected in the supplementary appropriation. There is an avenue to address the issue that has been put forward in terms of the rates which are paid to social service recipients. So, I want to give some assurance that Cabinet understands this is an area which still has to be addressed. We fully intend to support the Minister in addressing this issue in some form, but we are not quite sure how we will adjust that. We need a little time to do this. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any general comments? Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I recognize the Government Leader has indicated that Cabinet is cognizant of Members' concerns. I recognize the budget process allows for inflation rate and forced growth, but the inflation rate this year is about two to three per cent. This would do very little for the food allowances which are already set out. Members feel that more than the inflation rate has to be looked at, to address adequate food allowances to social assistance recipients.

Mr. Chairman, when I look at the amount we have spent on food, I would like to ask the Minister, do you have the numbers of social assistance recipients that we have in the system that utilize this $22 million for food in the budget? Thank you.

Thank you. Madam Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We can provide the numbers to the House by tomorrow. I will table it in the House.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Chairman, can we get a ball park figure on the amount of social assistance recipients we have in the north?

Madam Minister.

Mr. Chairman, we have that information. However, my deputy minister has informed me we would have to add all the numbers from the regions.

Thank you. Are there any general comments? Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Chairman, perhaps as the deputy minister is adding those figures, other Members would like to make general comments.

Thank you. Are there any further general comments? Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. About a month ago, Bishop Sperry gave a sermon about good news. He made the point that you hear all kinds of bad news and you never hear about the good news. He is a senior citizen. One of the things he told people was that there are good things happening for senior citizens. He told us that you can buy a ticket from Air Canada for just over $1,000 to travel anywhere in North America and stop off and visit kids, relatives, or friends and you can take a whole year to do it. This raised a great deal of interest in the community among the older people. They said maybe this is true, perhaps old folks do get good treatment. I began trying to make a list of the advantages for senior citizens who live in the Northwest Territories, including the 500 gallons of fuel and the extended health care benefits. In the city of Yellowknife, they receive tax relief on property taxes so that they can stay in their own homes. Being on a fixed income, it is at times very difficult to keep your own place. If you look around the city there are days where you can get materials at ten per cent off. Since seniors are now becoming very interested in the future and living with some degree of security, can the Minister tell me about the good things for senior citizens who stay in the territories. What are the good

things about being a senior citizen and the kind of support that the government gives elderly people who have made big contributions. Are there things which the public perhaps does not know about? Some of these things which I found out about, seniors did not know about. They were not aware of this good news. There were good things there and if they wanted to, they could take advantage of them. Several did not know about the 500 gallons of fuel. There are many other things such as this. If it is good news it does not get around, however, we always hear the bad news.