I actually think that changing the policy would actually make us go too far over to that side, that I think putting some flexibility into the policy makes it easier to administer, actually, because of the case-by-case basis and the rough parameters of income and the nature of the issue. I think it’s something that can be developed. If we look at a policy change, it’s going to be something that’s going to take a long period of time to do, number one. Number two, it tends to put us in a box. That’s what most of the policies seem to do in the government. The government makes a policy and does not deviate from outside the policy no matter how reasonable and needy the situation is.

I think that just to again look at asking the Minister to look at some flexibility in the current policy and if that’s difficult to do, maybe to add some sort of parameters around the development -- I don’t even want to say development of a policy because I think

that means a lot of work by a lot of different people and a long period of time -- asking the Minister to develop some sort of parameters that would make the policy more flexible, more humane, actually, I guess. Because right now it’s not really that way.

We have elders that are sick here, where it was difficult for the family to provide them support. Especially family members that don’t have other family members living in the city of Yellowknife that have to come in and set up here in order to support the individual that’s sick. I don’t know the process or who the Minister could report this back to, but maybe just to the Priorities and Planning committee on looking at some flexibility in the policy.