The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Koe.
Debates of March 2nd, 1993
Topics
Development Of Justice Committees In The Delta Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 693
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Development Of Justice Committees In The Delta Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 693
Fred Koe Inuvik
Mahsi. I would hope this government can continue the support and try to alter a system of justice which does not seem to be suited to our northern communities. Recently, the Gwich'in Tribal Council received an informal decision that the federal government's aboriginal justice program is unable to contribute any more funds to the Gwich'in proposal. This will require this government and the Gwich'in to rework the plans for justice committees and corrections, and there will also be a greater need for this government's continuing support. I hope this government is still committed to the concept of community-based justice and corrections, and will assist the communities in the north as much as possible to develop and implement their initiatives. Mahsi.
---Applause
Development Of Justice Committees In The Delta Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 694
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Arngna'naaq.
Keewatin Divisional Board Of Education's Ten Year Plan
Item 3: Members' Statements
March 1st, 1993
Page 694
Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Keewatin divisional board of education in the completion of their ten year educational plan for the Keewatin region. The plan is thorough and lays out clear goals and objectives as well as plans of action. They have laid out what the current situation is for each of the communities and gives clear direction as to where they would like to see the schools go. It can be seen from the plan that consultation was made with each of the communities and all relevant personnel, which means there are bound to be differences between the department and the divisional board's ten year plan, simply because it comes from the people who will be directly affected by it and the fact that it will set the government back a few dollars.
As stated in the preamble of the document, the cost of education is not as high as the cost of ignorance. However, I cannot see how the department would disagree with its major thrust which I believe is to increase the standard of education in the Keewatin region. The direction which the Keewatin schools have already started in the area of community grade extensions has already increased the number of students attending the high school program in the community of Arviat. In these classes are students who have not otherwise received their grade 12 diplomas. At the present time, there are schools in the Keewatin which are overcrowded because it was left up to the government to build these schools. In this plan it shows when and why each school should be expanded. In fact, I think if a divisional board of education in the Keewatin continues in the direction that they have started, the numbers which they show in the plan may be too conservative.
At this time, I would only ask that the Minister take this plan seriously and begin to take appropriate steps to ensure the plan will be given the consideration I think it is due, the first of which should be to extend the grades in Baker Lake to grade 11. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Keewatin Divisional Board Of Education's Ten Year Plan
Item 3: Members' Statements
Page 694
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 3, Member's statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
Henry Zoe North Slave
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, earlier this afternoon I spoke about some of the problems with the delivery of the fuel subsidy program for our elders. I am concerned that the situation of elders, who live in substandard accommodations, is not being taken into consideration when they are given their subsidy. Is the Minister willing to re-evaluate the fuel subsidy program for seniors, taking into consideration the substandard accommodations many of our elders find themselves living in?
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services.
Return To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regarding Mr. Zoe's concern, a decision paper has been drafted to modify the policy on gas and wood fuel for senior citizens. Thank you.
Return To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.
Supplementary To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
Henry Zoe North Slave
Mr. Speaker, I have asked the Minister a specific question with regard to the subsidy program. Would she consider re-evaluating this program and take into consideration the substandard accommodation which elders live in? I understand the policy has been re-evaluated, but she did not indicate if this type of consideration was incorporated into that evaluation. Have they taken into consideration the concern which I raised today?
Supplementary To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services, Ms. Mike.
Further Return To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is recommended that cash be granted to seniors, who own their own home, which will allow them to purchase whatever fuel they utilize. Yes, those kinds of things have been considered in modifying this policy. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.
Supplementary To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
Henry Zoe North Slave
Mr. Speaker, from hearing Madam Minister indicating there will be some cash payments in lieu of the actual wood being provided, would the amount of cash also reflect the substandard units? For instance, I understand they are trying to give out cash instead of the actual wood subsidy so the individual can purchase on his or her own. Is it going to be a set amount per household, or are standard and substandard accommodations going to be incorporated into the amount of cash which these individuals receive?
Supplementary To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Mike.
Further Return To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision paper also contains a recommendation that an income ceiling be established for this program. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 694
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Your last supplementary, Mr. Zoe.
Supplementary To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
Henry Zoe North Slave
Mr. Speaker, I do not quite understand what the income ceiling would do. We are talking about standard and substandard units which our elders are living in. The amount of wood these individuals are receiving is not adequate because their units are substandard and they burn more fuel than a regular, normal house would which has standard insulation, et cetera. Most of the elders in my communities have substandard units. The current policy with this government is that they provide fuel subsidy equally across the board. These substandard units are not being treated equally because they burn more fuel and they are not treating individual elders equally across the board. That is why I am suggesting the government review their policy so they can enhance the lives of elders who live in substandard accommodation. I am not sure if the Minister understands what I am trying to say. Is she going to change the policy to reflect the substandard units that many of our elders are living in? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Ms. Mike.
Further Return To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, the wood fuel policy for seniors is in the process of being modified, which is in the draft form now. Hopefully, those changes that Mr. Zoe is bringing to this House will be addressed. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Question 390-12(3): Re-evaluation Of Fuel Subsidy Program
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.
Question 391-12(3): Status Of Review Of Social Assistance System
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Social Services. Mr. Speaker, one of the major problems with the delivery of social assistance benefits is there are too many barriers discouraging clients from seeking other sources of income that may be available from time to time. A person who makes extra money by carving or hunting is penalized by the social assistance system. I raised this issue with the former Minister on November 18, 1992. I am not asking the former Minister. Mr. Speaker, the Minister said this matter was under review and that he was hopeful of reform the system. Could the Minister advise us as to the status of the review of the social assistance system, which was to look into ways of removing barriers to other sources of income? Thank you.
Question 391-12(3): Status Of Review Of Social Assistance System
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Minister of Social Services.
Question 391-12(3): Status Of Review Of Social Assistance System
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
Rebecca Mike Baffin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take the question as notice and get back to the Member.
Question 391-12(3): Status Of Review Of Social Assistance System
Item 5: Oral Questions
Page 695
The Speaker Michael Ballantyne
Question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.