Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement today, I made reference to the lack of consideration that the Income Support Program gave to a disabled constituent in Hay River. The process required to access income support is cumbersome and does not take into consideration the realities of disabled people. Can the Minister tell me if there are any other programs like those designed for seniors available for disabled persons? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Income Support Program is not supposed to be difficult to access and I am concerned about the Member's comment in her statement that a disabled person found it difficult to gain access to the program. We will commit to investigating that concern, Mr. Speaker. The Income Support Program is set up so that anybody who demonstrates their needs are at a certain level can access the program to provide them with support. There are, of course, limits that are set on the program due to fiscal realities that, unfortunately, we have to live with in terms of total dollars available for the program. If a person demonstrates need, the program will provide support.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell us if the Income Support Program takes into account the required expenses of a disabled person who is living in their own home? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All of a person's expenses are taken into account. In terms of providing assistance for housing, that disabled person's assistance is provided at full cost. There may be a problem if a disabled person is paying a mortgage instead of rent. That may create a situation where the program would dictate the provision of funding for accommodation for this person for a certain amount of money. If that amount is exceeded through the paying of a mortgage, for instance, then the mortgage payment may not be allowed. Instead, a suggestion would be made for a tenancy, rather than ownership. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me if the Income Support Program looks at the financial implications of supporting a disabled person in their own home, versus the costs that will be incurred by the government, if the disabled person is forced to move into social housing because they cannot afford to live in their home? Is any consideration given to that cost? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would expect that such a comparison would not be made. The standards of the program are set to ensure that people have the ability to live in accommodation that is suitable, and not necessarily their own. The program is set up with certain standards. As it is delivered across the territories, the same standard applies everywhere. A comparison would not necessarily be made to other programs that this government might offer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think everyone would agree that compassion and common sense should go hand in hand in the interpretation of the income support guidelines. Can the Minister explain the process the disabled person on a fixed pension would go through to access income support? Thank you.