Alfred Moses

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are a number of programs that we have for seniors across the Northwest Territories. With our consultations and our discussions with the NWT Seniors Society and the Yellowknife Seniors Society, we have had discussions since the beginning of this government. They were pleased with the increase that they did receive from the Department of ECE. Those were our discussions that we had with them and their comments, and they were happy to have that increase. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There were recommendations that were brought to me. I had to make the decision on them, and that decision was made early on in this government. The foundational review is still in place. We are waiting to get the report back before we look at making the management response. As I mentioned earlier with the staff, I am sure that senior management over at Aurora College is having those discussions with their instructors as we go through this process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We don't have a committed line item to it. We always try to find the funding within the department to fund the program. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

No. Just that, as a government, we have supported our most vulnerable residents in the Northwest Territories when they needed assistance and help, and we will continue to do so. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I mentioned, we are on an ambitious agenda with postsecondary here in the Northwest Territories. I think that the Member is trying to have me make a response saying that we are making the decisions even before this foundational review is completed.

As I mentioned earlier, I think we are all excited and eager to see that report and the recommendations coming forward and working with Aurora College, looking at the future of Aurora College and the programs and services that it will provide, and the work that we are doing right across the whole gamut of postsecondary here...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With that particular item, we usually work with Canada on this one, with the Senior Supplementary Benefit, so we cannot commit to that at this moment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the onset of discussion on these two programs, we always said that we would support our students that are in the programs to completion of the programs and then supporting them once it is done, whether they want to look at going into a career or further studying in those programs. Staff at the Aurora College are also doing that support. I am sure that senior management over at the Aurora College is having those discussions with their staff currently. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we will share that with standing committee and all Members. This one, we want to make sure that we do give consultation throughout the Northwest Territories, as it will have an impact on our students and our teachers. So, thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we will.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess we do provide a lot of funding to our most vulnerable residents in the Northwest Territories. If you look at the line item there, it is in the millions, and, if you look over the last few years, there has always been an increase. We have to make sure that we are reflective in terms of taking care of rent, taking care of utilities, food, clothing for these families. We do that on a case-by-case basis. I think the program is working well. There are triggers, external triggers, that provide us to make changes to our income assistance. Currently, we do look at it...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, as I said, we are having a meeting with the president and the administrator coming up later this month, and we will have those discussions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.