Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in his capacity as the Minister responsible for income support. Mr. Speaker, recently I have been contacted by a constituent who is suffering from a chronic heart condition and requires a heart transplant. She also has two young children who she has to look after. Because of her condition, she is not able to work. She is highly educated. It's not that she can't get a job; she's just not able to work. While she's waiting for this transplant, she has to get herself into really good shape, which requires her to have a special diet. She has been running into all sorts of obstacles in terms of getting some government assistance to support herself and her children. I'm told there is really no separate program for persons with disabilities, there is no Income Support Program for people with disabilities. So there are two things she's running into: that is the lack of separate funding programs for people with permanent disabilities or semi-permanent, and also the fact that while she's waiting for disability payments, there is no transitional assistance available. Could I ask the Minister why it is we don't have that sort of program in place? Thank you.
Sandy Lee on Question 557-15(3): Income Support For Disabled Persons
In the Legislative Assembly on March 7th, 2005. See this statement in context.
Question 557-15(3): Income Support For Disabled Persons
Item 6: Oral Questions
March 6th, 2005
Page 1807
See context to find out what was said next.