I believe that was not a point of order. Mr. Zoe, you have the floor.

Thank you. I would again like to caution the Members not to get too argumentative here. I believe that was just a point you made, Mr. Zoe, it is not a question. Mr. Pudlat.

(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.

Thank you, Mr. Pudlat. Before I recognize Mr. Gargan and Mr. Nerysoo, the Minister has an urgent phone call to make. We will take a two minute break.

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The committee will resume with general comments. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to touch on the food allowance. The Minister has indicated that there was a five per cent increase for the last fiscal year and that they are reviewing the food allowance over the next few months. In her statements and in the discussions I have heard so far during the last two days, I have not heard the Minister refer to the GST rebate for people who are on social assistance, nor have I heard anything with regard to the new family allowance regime. The less income you have, family allowance goes up. You have not referred to that at all. I was wondering whether or not your department has been looking at that issue. Even people with salaries are getting some kind of rebate. I do not get it, but I know of people who get it. People who are on the lower scale and even unemployed do receive GST rebates. Of course, the new family allowance, which came into effect in January, must also help the lower income people and the people who are on social assistance, but she has not referred to it at all. I am wondering whether or not you are using parts of that as an equation for social assistance.

Thank you. Madam Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For GST rebates, the individuals have to file their return, but the child tax credits and GST rebates are not considered part of income for social assistance recipients. The old family allowance is now called the child tax credit.

Thank you. Are there general comments? Mr. Gargan.

All right. I also know that during the last two days, there was a conference downstairs. I have had an opportunity to make a presentation, and I am interested in finding out from you, Madam Minister, whether or not you had an opportunity to address the people who are meeting downstairs.

Thank you. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the opening day of their workshop, I opened their meeting. Thank you.

Thank you. The honourable Member for Deh Cho.

The Minister is also aware that I made a Member's statement with regard to the sobriety clause for alcohol and drug workers. The Minister has also said, in her response to my statement, she does support it. Has the Minister had any alcohol and drug programs refuse to abide by that policy? Have they been funded? I want to know if there is consistency with regard to that policy. If they do not abide by the policy, they do not get funded. Is that still the rule?

Thank you. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Member for Deh Cho is correct.

Thank you. Are there general comments? Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also received a letter from the Minister with regard to salaries for alcohol and drug workers. They gave $2,000 to each worker for Christmas. The balance of the increase would come into effect by the end of February. Has this been done yet?

Thank you. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes.

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

Mr. Chairman, can the Minister advise the House as to the amount of funding that has been spent on food in the 1992-93 fiscal year within the social assistance component of the budget? Thank you.

Thank you. Ms. Mike.