Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we aren't denying assistance. I am not aware of the individual circumstances outlined in the letter. I would have to have a specific example of what had happened. In any case, where a person goes to apply for social assistance,
if they aren't happy with the response, they are entitled to appeal and have that appeal heard as to whether or not they should have received assistance.
Let me take Yellowknife, for example. A mother of three who arrived in Yellowknife and was staying with relatives would be provided with cash assistance to purchase food and other basic living necessities; or, a single employable client would be referred to the Salvation Army emergency shelter, where food and residence are provided on a contract basis between the Salvation Army and Education, Culture and Employment.
So we do provide assistance, but it is limited until we know that the people have established residence here. That is because they have established residence somewhere else. Until we know for sure that they are residents of the Northwest Territories, the full range of services aren't provided to them. We do make sure that the basics are provided. Thank you, Mr. Speaker,