Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as outlined by the Minister of Finance yesterday during the Budget Address, this government plans to reinvest $1.5 million into income support programs. I wanted to take some time today and review some of the details of the reinvestment.
Let me start by thanking the Standing Committee on Social Programs...
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...for their recommendations on reinvesting this money. Based on our discussions with them, the following areas have been identified.
Increased economic activity throughout the NWT has made it increasingly difficult for single persons to find affordable housing. In response to this, we plan on increasing the single accommodation benefit by 50 percent, bringing the total amount to $750 per month. This will bring the benefit more in line with actual shelter costs while encouraging accommodation sharing and workforce participation.
A second area is the food benefit rate. It is our plan to increase the NWT food benefit rate by $580,000. This represents a 13 percent increase over previous years and provides assistance to those clients that need it the most.
Mr. Speaker, we will increase the disability allowance currently offered to low income, permanently disabled Northerners. The plan is to increase the overall monthly benefit by 33 percent from $225 to $300.
Finally, we plan on investing an additional $100,000 into the seniors' home heating subsidy. The intent of this reinvestment is to increase the income thresholds and thereby allow more seniors and elders in the NWT to become eligible for this popular program. In addition, it is the government's plan to adjust the amount of subsidy on a regional basis, taking into account regional differences of heating seasons.
Mr. Speaker, the changes envisioned here are designed to increase the basic level of assistance provided to low-income Northerners. Through this new investment, the government is sending a clear message that all Northerners will share in the NWT's current prosperity. In addition, we move one step closer towards balancing development and social impacts as envisioned in Towards A Better Tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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