Mr. Speaker, thanks again to the Minister for that response. My understanding is that the client service officers put in the order for the cheque and then the financial people issue the cheque. That is what I was referring to. I assume that the Minister has that well in hand and will ensure both steps are taken in a timely fashion.

When these payments are late they cause ripple effects. People incur late fees for things such as phone and electricity. These are people for whom a five or 10 dollar additional charge is equivalent to a day’s groceries for a family. Unfortunately, current income support policy does not provide for the reimbursement of these penalties resulting from ECE’s tardiness.

I am assuming this isn’t going to happen again, but if it does, our records show that clearly when ECE payments have been made late, in cases where clients have been paid late, will ECE reimburse the cost of penalties that have resulted from payments received belatedly? Thank you.