Debates of Feb. 20th, 2017

This is page numbers 1779 – 1836 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was program.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Minister’s Statement 138-18(2): Slave Geological Province Access Corridor

Minister’s Statement 139-18(2): Education, Training And Youth Development: Education, Culture And Employment Progress Statement

Expanding The Economy Through Investments In People

February Statutory Holiday Proposal

Return Of Fort Providence Minor Hockey Program

Regional Benefits Of Mackenzie Valley Highway Construction

Status Of Transboundary Water Agreements

Territorial Marine Resupply Services

Proposed Elimination Of Aurora College Social Work Program

Overflow Water On Beaufort Delta Highways

Connie Loutit Memorial Soccer Tournament

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Territorial Marine Resupply Services

Status Of Transboundary Water Agreements

Supports For The Agriculture Industry

Whati All-Season Road

Proposed Elimination Of Aurora College Programs

Proposed Elimination Of Aurora College Social Work Program

Status Of GNWT Open Government Policy

Overflow Water On Beaufort Delta Highways

Increased Investment In The Mineral Incentive Program

Impact Of Slave Geological Province Access Corridor Impact On Caribou Populations

Proposed Elimination Of Aurora College Programs

Tabled Document 287-18(2): Follow-Up Letter To Oral Question 525-18(2): Sahtu Regional Health Council

Bill 17: An Act To Amend The Income Tax Act

Bill 18: An Act To Amend The Health And Social Services Professions Act

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Education, Culture And Employment, Deferral Of Education And Culture Activity

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Education, Culture And Employment, Deferral Of Labour Development And Standards Activity

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Education, Culture And Employment, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For The Department Of Education, Culture And Employment

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

Committee Motion 53-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Education, Culture And Employment, Deferral Of Education And Culture Activity, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

February 20th, 2017

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Ms. Green.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you very much, then. That $2 million increase, does that represent forced growth on the number of additional clients anticipated for the next fiscal year? Thank you.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister Moses.

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is what we are looking at as an increased uptake in our income assistance clients. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Ms. Green.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Does it also represent an increase in the value of income assistance itself? Can the Minister confirm that income assistance allowances are indexed to the CPI? Thank you.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister Moses.

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, income assistance is not indexed to CPI. There are various things that we do take into consideration when we look at income assistance and providing that financial support. It is on a case-by-case basis. From my knowledge, I don't think any jurisdiction in Canada actually indexes their income assistance. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Ms. Green.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is the value of the income assistance allowance just constant from year to year, without any reflection of inflation? Thank you.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you Ms. Green. Minister Moses.

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We do review the program on a yearly basis in terms of how we fund income assistance clients. It is reviewed on a yearly basis. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Ms. Green.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, when was the last time the allowances were increased to reflect inflation? Thank you.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister Moses.

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. From my understanding, April 1, 2015, was the last time we seen an increase. Thank you.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Ms. Green.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Could the Minister tell us when the program will next be reviewed for inflation? Thank you.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister Moses.

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is something that we are working on. I can't give a firm date to the Member at this moment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Ms. Green.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I want to turn now to the question of the food and clothing allowances that were deleted when the Canada Child Benefit was introduced. Can the Minister tell us whether the decrease in the food and clothing allowance is equal to the increase in the Canada Child Benefit? Thank you.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Minister Moses.

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Chair, for detail I will go to Mr. Lovely. Thank you.

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Mr. Lovely.

Debates of Feb. 20th, 2017

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