Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. The Minister is well aware of the concern that I share with other honourable Members about social assistance rates. On February 25, 1993, the Minister informed the House that the most recent increase to the social assistance rates was increased by five per cent in 1990. Mr. Speaker, it is now 1993. Our people are having great difficulty surviving on what they receive from the Department of Social Services. The Minister said she was waiting for the report from the Special Committee on Health and Social Services, but this committee has already completed two interim reports which state clearly that social assistance rates are too low. Could the Minister explain why the Department of Social Services has not taken action to review and adjust the social assistance rates? Thank you.
Debates of March 2nd, 1993
Topics
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
Ludy Pudluk High Arctic
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services.
Return To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the time, when I made my response, I said there was an increase of five per cent in October 1, 1992, not 1990. On your second question, I will consult with my department and get back to the Member with the information he is requesting. Thank you.
Return To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.
Supplementary To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
Ludy Pudluk High Arctic
Mr. Speaker, sometimes I have a difficult time when the Minister is taking the question as notice. Sometimes it takes more than a month to get a response. My question is quite urgent. The second interim report from the Special Committee on Health and Social Services points out the social assistance now received is not enough for them to buy healthy food. The allowance averages 60 per cent of the cost of healthy food supplied. It is rated by a 1991 food price survey. Is the Minister prepared to make a commitment to this House to increase social assistance rates that will allow clients to meet their food needs?
Supplementary To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services.
Further Return To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For this fiscal year, no. I may consider it for next fiscal year. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.
Further Return To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education. Three communities want to add more grades. How could we add more grades to the communities? Can the Minister of Education respond to my question?
Further Return To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.
Further Return To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Mr. Speaker, I was not clear on the question. Could the honourable Member repeat the question?
Further Return To Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Question 392-12(3): Action To Adjust Social Assistance Rates
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Pudlat, would you please clarify the question?
Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Item 5: Oral Questions
March 1st, 1993
Page 696
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make myself clear. Cape Dorset, Lake Harbour and Hall Beach would like to extend their grades. How could we look into this further?
Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Nerysoo.
Return To Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the clarification by the honourable Member. The normal process is to work with the board of education from the Baffin region, who will identify those particular communities requiring extensions to their grades. As such, we will respond to it through the normal budget process and ensure that we provide the financial resources for the appropriate school year.
Return To Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Pudlat.
Supplementary To Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South
(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 1985, they started extending grades in the communities and the communities had to request extensions. In 1993, are they behind in putting in their request? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Supplementary To Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Mr. Minister.
Further Return To Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure whether the board has reviewed the request for extension of grades in the communities the honourable Member has identified. I can indicate to the honourable Member that, in those communities, where the numbers of students have been identified, we are responding positively to those communities. I can say this Cabinet will respond positively and this Minister will respond where the appropriate numbers are identified, particularly if the request and support is given by the board of education from the Baffin region. You can be assured we will respond positively.
Further Return To Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Question 393-12(3): Policy On Grade Extensions
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Patterson.
Question 394-12(3): Food Allowance Rates For Social Services Recipients
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was very pleased to hear the Minister of Social Services state, in response to the Member for High Arctic, that she is prepared to consider dealing with the shortfall in the food rates for social assistance recipients and that, in fact, she is prepared to consider doing so for the coming fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, does this mean we can expect when the Minister presents the estimates for her department during this session that the matter of the shortfall in food allowance rates for social assistance clients will be addressed?
Question 394-12(3): Food Allowance Rates For Social Services Recipients
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services.
Further Return To Question 394-12(3): Food Allowance Rates For Social Services Recipients
Question 394-12(3): Food Allowance Rates For Social Services Recipients
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I should have elaborated further. This five per cent increase was applied across the NWT, whether in Yellowknife or in Grise Fiord. There are some inequities in this regard. This five per cent increase should not have been applied to all the communities where there are differences in food prices. The department and myself will be looking into how we can apply this better and try and use the available resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 394-12(3): Food Allowance Rates For Social Services Recipients
Question 394-12(3): Food Allowance Rates For Social Services Recipients
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Patterson.
Supplementary To Question 394-12(3): Food Allowance Rates For Social Services Recipients
Question 394-12(3): Food Allowance Rates For Social Services Recipients
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 696
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear the Minister is looking at dealing with the discrepancies in the cost of living in the communities rather than by an across the board approach. Will this new approach, which should begin to deal with some of the issues raised by the Special Committee on Health and Social Services in their interim report, be reflected in the main estimates for the Department of Social Services which the Minister will be presenting to this House this session? Thank you.