Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I responded to the honourable Member, Mr. Erasmus, yesterday, the intent is that the maximum will be $712, given that there will be approximately $200 of disposable income for every resident utilizing those services. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the proposal to allow each elder a disposable income of $200 a month territorial-wide may cause considerable hardship for our elders. Two hundred dollars is not very much, Mr. Speaker, especially when a lot of our elders are taking care of extended families. The only income that some families have is the money that the elders bring in. Will the Minister be reviewing these amounts, based on the different costs of living in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I will not, because the standardized rate of $712 was set for room and board. There are additional costs over and above that that are not charged out for the care portion of it. The $712 is for room and board charges. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Mr. Speaker, I was very disappointed to hear that. Mr. Speaker, is there a formula in place to come up with the minimum amount that the department now is using of $200 in one of these facilities and how is that arrived at? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the amount was determined in discussion with the Standing Committee on Social Programs. The rate of $712 was felt to be a fair rate, given that it was based on taking the average of the lowest provincial and other territorial rates within Canada. Just to make it clear that it isn't an increase for some residents. Some residents who were in level III and IV facilities actually had a decrease of their room and board charges under this new standardization rate, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Roland.