The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does the Minister think it's fair that a single mother with four children who has been living in public housing and working for the private sector at fairly minimal wages would now be negatively impacted by this harmonization because she would see her rent go up significantly because of the support payments that she would receive from her former spouse that is intended to help pay for things like education, clothing, incidental costs for children. Does the Minister think that that's fair? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, when we did the harmonization project, we wanted to ensure that there was a balance between the two income support programs and the Housing Corporation, the way the income is tested. It's income tested, so the individuals are at a certain level of income before an increase is applied, Mr. Speaker. That we checked with the standing committees before we introduced the programs and we do feel that we can move forward on this. A lot of people are going to be beneficiaries of this new particular program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1997, there was a fairly significant federal court ruling as a result of a woman who challenged Revenue Canada's position on treating maintenance support as taxable income. How does the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment reconcile this government's treatment of this as taxable income or accountable income in terms of this government's programs, when it was proven that the federal government could not charge taxes on that portion of money that was received by the custodial parent? How do you reconcile those differences? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would have to take a look at the reference the honourable Member is making to that particular ruling. I am not familiar with it, Mr. Speaker, but I could see what that ruling said. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the intent of that ruling by the federal courts holds similarity in terms of how income of custodial parents taking care of children is treated, would the Minister consider modifying the harmonization initiative before it's implemented and take into consideration those parents that would be negatively impacted by the way the initiative is proceeding now. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Jake Ootes Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't make a commitment here, Mr. Speaker, without looking at the details of that particular court decision. I am not familiar with it and it wasn't brought to my attention previously, Mr. Speaker. So we would have to look at seeing what the implications of that court decision were and whether it would even apply to us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker David Krutko

Item 6, oral questions. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.