I appreciate the support and we want to make sure that we work well with committee when that legislative proposal comes through to get the consultation that it needs and get it passed.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We talked about April 1, 2015, as the first time it was 20 per cent. Why hasn't the department developed a policy that shows there will be annual increases to this program to the cost index? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

Yes, as I mentioned in the House when taking questions on this, we're just doing a scan right now to see what other jurisdictions are doing. Member O'Reilly has brought up the Yukon index and we're taking a look at that. We’re looking at what other jurisdictions are doing. As I said, we review yearly. We always want to make sure our programs and services are adequate enough to support those that need it, but we're just doing a scan right now to see what policies are out there. The Yukon has been brought up and we're taking a look at that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for his answer. I understand that you do it every year; you look at it every year. I honestly believe this government needs to have a policy especially in this area here because it just seems to be willy-nilly. I mean we talk about 2015 was a 20 per cent increase issue there was nothing. I understand what the Minister's saying: you guys are going to go out there and look, but in reality I think we need to have a policy in place that says that we're looking at increasing it every year, cost of index, because we're talking about people who live below the poverty line with this money, and if we're really going to care about these people that are less fortunate, they should understand that we need a policy in place that will address this. It’s not just done once. I guess the question is when was the time before? If it was done in April 1, 2015, when was the last time there was an increase to it. I guess that would be my first question on that long ramble. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do want to state that the Income Assistance Program is probably one of the better programs we offer to those that do need it, and the changes that we are proposing are going to be reflective in increasing those changes. As mentioned earlier when I got asked in the House, we're going to see increases in some of this funding for low- to moderate-income families that are going to benefit. I mean, it's great. I've also talked about the Northern Market Basket Measure. Stats Canada has one for all jurisdictions across Canada and however they didn't reflect the costs and prices here in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, or Nunavut. In 2014 we worked together to develop the Northern Basket Measure and that's when it reflected in the costs that were increased by 20 per cent back then. Right now you know our focus is to make sure that we get these changes in place so that our low–to-moderate income families actually start benefitting and seeing the dollars. If we start putting our energies into getting a policy done without doing the scan, it could take away some of the work moving forward in the other areas where we'll see actually action and the benefits. Before 2014, I don't know the exact date, but because we got that northern basket measure that reflected the increase. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm not questioning you about the program. Yes, it's one of the best things and you're doing a great job in it; however, it comes back, I believe it was 2009, so six years later, 2014, you're doing it, so we're not seeing an increase. You know, six years down the road. I understand that it's a lot of work to do. I am hoping that you can do the scan, but at the end of the day, what are we telling the people of the Northwest Territories that earn low income that, you know, it's the best program out there but we have other priorities. That to me is wrong. I think we need a policy. We can do the scan, but after the scan is done, I'd like to see a policy implemented by the department so that the policy is linked to the Market Basket Measure. It's there, it's not six years down the road, it's done yearly. I'm asking the Minister: after the scan is done will you make a commitment to look at developing a policy that can link to the Market Basket Measures so every year April 1stbased on that basket, there could be an increase? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

Yes, I'll make the commitment to look into creating a policy moving forward after we do the scan and see the feasibilities of that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that. When is the scan going to be completed? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

Yes, thank you. As soon as the questions are brought up into the House from Member O'Reilly on the Yukon Index. Through the business planning session when we went through the review, made that department was looking and seeing what's happening. The Yukon Index we really weren't too sure but that was kind of new, so want to take a look at that one as well because it is reflective of northern residents as well.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is it going to be done this year or is it going to be next year when the scan is done? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.

Yes, we could look at making sure that it's done before the end of the fiscal year.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that clarification. Regarding Student Financial Assistance and student grants, there's a difference of about $3.1 million. What's the difference in that? Is there something... Again, it's kind of confusing so I'm trying to figure out what the difference is between your financial assistance for the program detail and then the expenditure category? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Minister.