Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to meet with the Minister to discuss some of the clients that have brought this matter to my attention.
Just on another note, Mr. Speaker, with regard to some of the applicant responsibilities in reference to their permanent handicap. In our Income Support program, the disability allowance is classified as an enhanced benefit. Our clients must meet -- and it states very clearly -- all of the following criteria to qualify for this allowance of $300 a month. There are eight bullets in those criteria. In the Alberta program, which is the Assured Income to the Severely Handicapped program, in the applicant's responsibilities to the eligibility requirements there are only four bullets. Basically, on the disability and enhanced benefit of the Income Support, the first bullet states that the client must have a severe disability that substantially limits their ability to earn a living.
Mr. Speaker, I think that criteria right there speaks for itself. I don't think that people with severe disabilities or handicaps should have to go through the other six or seven bullets that really don't have any real significance to the whole program. This government is supposedly trying to create an atmosphere of independent living and sustainability. Maybe the Minister could just elaborate on why there is such a big list of eligibility criteria for persons with severe handicaps. Thank you.