Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I spoke in this House of the stigma of social housing, and the government needs to help the people improve their lives, not kick them when they are down. The same can be said for income-assistance clients. Just like social-housing clients, many of these people are good, hard-working people who live near poverty, no fault of their own, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Unlike the Housing Corporation, at least Education, Culture and Employment has policies posted online, Mr. Speaker. That way, the requirements for income assistance are available to applicants, so called, as long as they have internet connection.
It is also good to see ECE has published its service standards. I would encourage the Housing Corporation to do the same. ECE's standards make it clear that, among their things of income assistance, clients have the right to be treated with respect, expect services without delays, get help with a friend or family member, and ask to see their own file or how do they lodge an appeal. Despite these standards, too many of my constituents are made to feel diminished as human beings when they seek income assistance. They do not understand the information that they need to bring with them sometimes. Even if the report from income is incorrect, Mr. Speaker, they can be penalized for up to three months, and they feel judged by the worker, who is supposed to be there it help them with their applications.
I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of income-assistance clients would rather seek jobs than income assistance. That is why they keep saying this government has to do more for small communities. Economically, there is nothing happening in my riding of Nunakput, Mr. Speaker. It is frustrating for me to hear my constituents complain about poor treatment by government when the government is failing them in the first place. Mr. Speaker, while I am the MLA for Nunakput, I am going to continue to speak up for the people of my riding and to bring the jobs and economic opportunities in my riding of Nunakput. I am challenging this government to put its game on. It comes to providing service to the public, no matter how rich or poor. Mr. Speaker, we work for the people. Thank you.