In the Legislative Assembly on February 14th, 2003. See this topic in context.

Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 69

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Over the past few years, an ongoing debate has occurred over whether or not the money from income support clients that they receive from impact benefit agreements should be clawed back. I raised that issue during the October sitting of the House, and the Minister wrote me and stated that this issue would be examined, and that he would be prepared to report progress on or before the February 2003 session. I'd like to ask the Minister if he does have an answer for me today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 69

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Ootes.

Return To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 69

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we have done a tremendous amount of work on this. It appears that there are implications that we do need to take into consideration to ensure that we do this appropriately, and I will be bringing forward a document to Cabinet for some discussion and consideration. I expect that to be within the next two to three weeks, certainly during this session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 69

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 70

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd just like to ask the Minister, going back to 2001, the impact benefit agreement clawbacks amounted to $290,000, and this was from only 260 people. These people were clawed back individually $1,115 each, and this is a big amount of money. I'm just wondering if the Minister or his department looked at what became of these people after the date that they clawed back. Were these people coming back and appealing? Were there a lot of appeals? I would like to ask the Minister. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 70

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 70

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we did set up an independent appeal board to take into consideration individuals who wish to appeal decisions made by staff in regard to income support questions. I'm familiar with one case, I believe of a decision with respect to the impact benefit agreements, and that's the only case I'm aware of, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 70

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 70

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Upon traveling to my three communities last week, I came across an elder who asked me why the Department of Education, Culture and Employment would send an employee flying around the communities taking information in and then telling them we're not going to help you this month so there's no use bothering. Why are they spending so much money to fly people around if they know there are no income support clients in those communities? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 13th, 2003

Page 70

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Further Return To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 70

Jake Ootes

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not familiar with the issue that the Member is speaking of. I'll certainly find out and be able to report back to him. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 17-14(3): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Question 17-14(6): Impact Benefit Agreements And Income Support
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 70

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.