(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My response is to the question asked by Mr. Ningark on March 2, 1993, in regard to the social services social welfare.
The employability enhancement accord, commonly known as the SAR agreement, between our government and the federal government, was signed in 1987 in order to create employment opportunities for social assistance recipients.
Effective April 1, 1992, the budget for this program was transferred to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs in order to allow for better targeting of clients and to ensure effective career planning.
The Department of Social Services staff are also currently working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs to develop a strategy for providing increased training opportunities for employable social assistance recipients. This is the first part of a more comprehensive review of income support for these clients, which is being undertaken jointly by the two departments.
In addition to these cooperative initiatives, Social Services staff have reviewed the existing regulations and identified potential changes. This includes increasing the amount of income which people could earn without jeopardizing their benefits, providing direct support for the traditional harvesting activities and raising the asset limit.
Further work to determine the financial impact of these changes and to ensure continued cost-sharing with the federal government will be completed in the coming fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.