Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Handley, there was no question there. If you choose to respond, if not, we will move on. Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question this afternoon is for the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment. It is regarding the seniors' fuel subsidy. Mr. Speaker, there has been some discussion about the moves to help supplement fuel bills for regular households, but my concern is with seniors who are on fixed incomes.

I would like to ask the Minister, what are the criteria which sets the eligibility for seniors to be eligible for the fuel subsidy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The Honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we did have a fuel subsidy program for seniors in the age category of 60 years and it is according to an income level zoned with the high zone being $39,000.

There is a quantity of fuel provided in various forms and it is either for wood, propane, electricity and all the means of fuel, including natural gas. There is a quantity provided for that, according to the amounts that are equivalent to 2,275 litres, and translated then into other fuels, Mr. Speaker, are equivalent of that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask whether the Minister, in light of the hike in fuels, especially in diesel and propane, will revisit the volumes of fuel that would be included in the subsidy and this is especially because senior citizens on fixed incomes, I think, are experiencing quite a big bite out of their limited disposable income for energy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The Honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course, we have provided the fuel rebate subsidy, as well, of $320 per household or $150 per single. So that can be applied as well, Mr. Speaker, above the amount of fuel allotment that they are allowed, with provision of having provided information that they have consumed the amount above that. Thank you.

Merci, Mr. Ootes. Questionne supplementaire, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to clarify, and this would be very good news if I hear it the right way, that even though there is an ongoing program for seniors' fuel subsidy, they will be eligible for the additional increment for as long as that program is going then? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we felt that there are certain individuals in our population that are in need. Seniors were certainly identified as such. When we talked about the fuel rebate program, we felt that this was a very appropriate area to provide that particular rebate portion as well for seniors.

So as I said, it is up to $320 for family, $150 for singles. Thank you.

-- Applause

Merci, Mr. Ootes. Questionne supplementaire, Mr. Braden.

Thank you. Excellent news, Mr. Speaker. Then just to clarify one more point. So the income and means test that I understand was to be applied to that other household criteria will not apply to seniors? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I must apologize, I missed the question. If Mr. Braden could repeat it for me? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Mr. Braden, just for the record, your question.

Yes, of course. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The program that the government is talking about bringing in has a means test or criteria applied to household income, and I believe a figure of about $70,000 was applied. I take it from the Minister's answer that this will not be applied to an additional increment for seniors. Is that the case? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This particular rebate that we are speaking of, the $320 and the $150, will apply to everyone based on income and the income criteria had been set during the announcement of the rebate program. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Oral question time has expired. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to the opening address. Item 10, replies to the budget address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees under review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Merci, Mr. Handley. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Bill 19, Committee Reports 5-14(3), 6-14(3), 7-14(3), with Mr. Delorey in the chair.

I will now call the committee of the whole to order. We have Bill 19 for consideration, and three committee reports. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Roland.