Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of any handbook available to a community which outlines the Income Support Program. The intention is for the residents of the community to work with the income support worker to go through the form which sets out the areas in which the individual might qualify for income support. The intent of the program is to deal with people on an individual basis because everyone's circumstances are different. People are encouraged to deal directly with the income support worker. The income support worker is also, Mr. Speaker, supposed to advise people who are refused income support about the appeal process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of June 2nd, 1998
This is page numbers 1543 - 1572 of the Hansard for the 13th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was commission.
Topics
Return To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
Return To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
June 1st, 1998
Page 1550
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I apologize for addressing my concern to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I should have realized that it was for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. My supplementary question for the honourable Minister is, could he explain to me what the whole process is? Is there a local appeal body in each community that looks after the complaints from clients? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, typically, there is a local income support appeal committee. The first step is to file a written appeal which would then be reviewed by the income support worker's supervisor. I should point out that when I answered previously that there were no booklets available, there are, in fact, some booklets which set out in general terms what might be available through income support, but not in great detail. This is why it is important that every individual work with the income support worker. The other option is the complete Income Support Worker's Handbook is now available on the Internet. People who can access a computer can access the detailed workbook for workers.
Further Return To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
John Ningark Natilikmiot
As I indicated in my Member's statement, in many cases we are approached about the conveyance, about the problem in the community by the individuals. Will the Minister endeavour to ensure that there is, in fact, a booklet translated into the local language outlining what the criteria are so that the client or potential client will know exactly what he is getting into? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it would be difficult to publish a booklet which outlines the program in detail for everybody because individual circumstances vary, family circumstances vary, and the program looks at the circumstances of the family. The Member raised the issue that we have to find some way to deal with communications in a better way, and we will certainly look at that. With the changes to the program that take place, it would be difficult to publish a book on a regular basis that would accomplish this effectively. For instance, we just announced a change to the food basket rates. The program is constantly under review and being updated. It is difficult to put out a booklet that would not be outdated very quickly. The answer is that individuals need to work with the income support workers and perhaps we need to find some way to improve communications within the smaller communities between the workers and the clients. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1550
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Ningark.
Supplementary To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
John Ningark Natilikmiot
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for the positive response. Will the Minister encourage the staff at the community level to communicate with the clients or potential clients what is expected of them if they want to receive social assistance or if they are turned away, explain exactly what is in the system? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Dent.
Further Return To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is what is expected of the workers and we will work to ensure that is happening across the territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Further Return To Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Question 609-13(5): Income Support Handbook
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd. It is in regard to a meeting that was held with the Union of Northern Workers. It seems as if there is a real misunderstanding or difference of opinion on exactly what has been negotiated and what the process was that was used to negotiate the final offer. I would like to ask the Minister, are there any attempts to consider looking at a mediator to try to resolve this issue? Thank you.
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.
Return To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate my honourable colleague's question, and it was asked by a number of other Members earlier in the Session. Let me say again. We have put what we consider to be a fair and final settlement before the bargaining unit for the UNW. Right now, the matter is in the hands of the UNW and its employees. If they wish to go to an arbitrator or to a mediator, I have already said yesterday, and I will say again today, we are prepared to go to that process. The next step is in the hands of the membership and the UNW. Thank you.
Return To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the Minister or the department made an attempt to do a letter to the union to inform them that you are open to mediation at this time?
Supplementary To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
John Todd Keewatin Central
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They are well aware that we are prepared to take that next step. Thank you.
Further Return To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
Supplementary To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
David Krutko Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the Minister or the department put this government's position in writing and delivered a letter to the union clearly identifying that you are open to mediation? Thank you.
Supplementary To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Todd.
Further Return To Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Question 610-13(5): Resolution Of Collective Bargaining Impasse
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 1551
John Todd Keewatin Central
The union is as equally knowledgeable of the process, Mr. Speaker, as I am. As I said, and will say again today, we are prepared to go to mediation if that is what they request, but it has to come from them. We have laid the final settlement on the table which we think is fair. It is now really up to the UNW executive to determine what the next step is. Thank you.