Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I have had the opportunity for the last two years to question all of the Ministers. If it could make any difference to serve my people, it should have happened the past two years, I do not believe this forum today is going to make any difference, but we want to focus on the things that we did according to the plan, things that we did not do according to our plan; things that have fallen short. When we were elected we appointed or selected Members of the Cabinet, the Premier and the Minister of Finance, in their statement, several times stated that this government is to be compassionate, fair. When we talk about balancing the budget many times, it was indicated that the budget will not be balanced on the backs of the poor. Having said that, Mr. Chairman, like Mr. Enuaraq indicated earlier, that he was concerned because he had been approached by many people from his area regarding the compassionate travel which was dropped from the program delivery. In my capacity as the Member of the Legislature for my area, I have been approached by people from Pelly Bay, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak sometime to a point where people were almost pleading to get the program back. As I have indicated, we want to be compassionate, we want to be fair and we are not going to balance the budget on the backs of the poor. I am wondering, having recognized that, the philosophy and the goals of the government. My question to the Minister is, will the Minister reinstate the compassionate travel for the sake of the poor people, especially those depending upon the social assistance? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
John Ningark on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on October 23rd, 1997. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
October 22nd, 1997
Page 94
John Ningark Natilikmiot
See context to find out what was said next.