(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. While we are dealing with Social Services I have a brief comment. I was happy with the Minister's statements regarding the comments she made about unemployment issues. In the north we are having hard times with finances and we have to work very hard to work together. I want to say that I am not against Social Services, but I think more should be done. People have to work closer together. There are many young people in the communities who could work in different jobs. We have to encourage them to try to make some money. There are many people who are working in different jobs, not making much money and are raising children. They have problems with getting food. If they want to receive assistance, they have to follow the policies of Social Services. As you were saying, families have to work in order to feed their children. When people receive social assistance, if they make a little more than what they usually make, they are not allowed to get that assistance. I know Social Services is trying to work together, however, I would like to encourage them to work harder. If they do their best, much work can be done.

With regard to social services, there are policies within the communities that the recipients have to follow. I represent two small communities in the Baffin region and many of the people I represent make money by carving. People are not buying as many carvings as they used to. Because of this, I think the young people should be encouraged to find minimal jobs. I know this is a problem for all of the communities in the Northwest Territories. They usually turn to Social Services for assistance. We are aware that Social Services is trying to help. I am not against Social Services or social workers, they have a great deal of sympathy for people. If individuals make too much money and go over the limit, they are unable to get any social assistance. When the family tries to buy food, they do not receive assistance. It is very different in the Baffin, we have cold and harsh winters. I think there should be more jobs made available so that younger people can hold jobs. I think they should be working closer together in the north to see how they can create more jobs and make more money.

I would like Social Services and the government to try and create more jobs and work closely to create these new jobs. There are many people who are not doing anything. If they cannot find jobs they turn to alcohol or substance abuse. Some individuals even die because of this. They start thinking harder about it because they cannot find any jobs even though they are capable of holding a job. We know this has been going on for a long time. I think we want them to work closer together to find more funds to create new jobs in the north.

I stated earlier that I was going to make a short comment. I have quite a bit more to say, however, I will end now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.