The members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs are aware of programs in other jurisdictions that provide medical and financial help to permanently disabled residents. This assistance is basically a set amount, or pension, which when combined with all other sources of income allows the individual to not fall below a prescribed income.

In Alberta, there is the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Program, which provides medical and income assistance to adults with permanent disabilities that severely impair their ability to earn a living.

People only receive AISH if they have exhausted all other possibilities for training, rehabilitation or employment. The current income support program in the Northwest Territories as administered by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment makes no allowance for this possibility. People with permanent disabilities are expected to make "productive life choices", like any other income support recipients, regardless of whether these choices represent any meaningful gain for the disabled persons.

In some cases, members are aware of residents receiving too much money from the Canada Disability Pension to be eligible for income support.

Regardless of the problems inherent in the delivery of the actual income support by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the committee believes that the Department of Health and Social Services does have a role to play.

In Alberta, AISH clients are also eligible for medical benefits such as prescription drugs, glasses, dental work and medical travel and ambulance services. Committee members envision a similar role for the department, in an integrated service delivery model, in conjunction with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

A recommendation to this effect was made in the review of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and also applies to the Department of Health and Social Services.