Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this is a reply to a question asked by Mr. Ningark, of the Premier, on October 27, 1994. It deals with social assistance payments for Pelly Bay and Taloyoak.

Madam Speaker, some years ago, at the request of the Kitikmeot Regional Council, the Department of Social Services began limiting the amount of cash that is available to social assistance recipients in the region. Recipients receive $50 in cash each month, and the remainder of their social assistance is paid directly to suppliers on the recipients' behalf.

A request was received this past summer from the community of Pelly Bay, asking that this practice be discontinued. It was arranged for a delegation from the community to meet with one of the department's assistant deputy ministers, along with the director of social assistance. I understand that Mr. Ningark attended the meeting that was held on July 21, 1994. The concern expressed at the meeting was that the limited amount of cash given out was placing hardships on some social assistance recipients.

It was agreed at the meeting that this matter could be addressed by the local Social Assistance Appeal Committee, who have the authority to hear the complaints of any social assistance recipient. It was also agreed that if the appeal committee was not able to resolve the issue, then the department was prepared to re-examine it.

These agreements were outlined in a letter from me to the Speaker of the Kitikmeot Regional Council on September 2, 1994, with copies to the Member, to the mayor of Pelly Bay and to Mr. Ng.

Just recently, I was provided with a copy of a petition signed by members of the Pelly Bay community, addressed on October 7, 1994 to the speaker of the Kitikmeot Regional Council. This petition asks the council to reconsider its position on the issuing of cash in social assistance.

Madam Speaker, this matter has to be resolved. Since the current practice of using vouchers was implemented at the request of the Kitikmeot Regional Council, the ideal way to resolve it would be for the community to come to an agreement with the Kitikmeot Regional Council. Towards this end, I will ask the regional council to give prompt consideration to the petition from the residents of Pelly Bay. Thank you, Madam Speaker.