Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is on an issue I have raised in the House a number of times, and have also written the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, impact benefit agreement payments that my constituents and other aboriginal groups receive are clawed back by this government from their income support payments. Mr. Speaker, these payments are given to the aboriginal people for loss of use of their lands. These payments are given under the treaty agreements dealing with aboriginal lands, but this government has chosen to consider them unearned income and income that should be taken from the people who need it the most -- those who are on income support.

Mr. Speaker, because this government has the new harmonization initiative, my constituents and aboriginal people in the North will be negatively affected even more. It has been over one year since I have asked the Minister to make a decision on this, but to date have not received any decision yet. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause