Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I was speaking in my Member's statement about clawbacks in regard to Inuvialuit beneficiary cheques in regard to getting our yearly payment as a beneficiary. Is it correct, in my understanding, that beneficiary cheques used to be exempt from income support on clawbacks since 2007? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to amending the income support regulations to exempt claims for beneficiaries from all land claim groups? They do get benefits once per year. Would the Minister commit to amending their clawback system? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Why does the GNWT feel payments to beneficiaries across the Inuvialuit beneficiaries be clawed back from income support clients? Why?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that, prior to September 2007, the Income Assistance regulations specifically exempted the value of any payments received by the Inuvialuit Final Agreement beneficiaries from being clawed back to those who are also on income support as clients. When this change happened, payments to beneficiaries of the land claim agreements were suddenly reclassified as unearned income. According to regulations at the time, an unearned income over $1,200 a year would be clawed back.

I spoke in this House against this in June 2008, Mr. Speaker. I...

Thank you, Madam Chair. That being said, if we are going to bring this to FMB, I want a clear answer. When are we going to bring it forward to FMB for the funds, and then, two, has the company that has the contract been notified in regard to what's happening, in regard to this project on a go-forward? Again, I want to remind the Minister, and I want to remind all of my Cabinet colleagues over on this side of the House, that it is okay to drop everything and give everything to Yellowknife, and I don't mean to say that. I don't use that term lightly. Everything has been given. They are getting...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to remind the Ministers, the next sitting date after we're done here is October 15th, and nothing is going to be happening in our ridings, because that's going to be freeze-up, and stuff like that. You can't do all the ground work that's needed to do the extension on that school. So, it being a shovel-ready project, why can't we go ahead with that project in regard to getting it started with the monies that we do have, the $12 million? Where does that come into play in regard to getting the foundation ready so we could be working this winter, potentially...

Once they put that first step into the Northwest Territories, who is going to pay that hotel bill in regard to the 14-day isolation plan? Is it us? Are taxpayers in the Northwest Territories going to pay, or is it going to be the person who is coming in out of province. Who pays?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I just want to follow up on the Member for Yellowknife Centre's questions in regard to the 14-day isolation time for workers coming into the territory. We opened it up today for all Canadians to come into our territory with a 14-day isolation. I need clarification in regard to that because it's contradicting Dr. Kandola's healthcare plan for the territory. Can I have just clarification on that? Are all Canadian citizens allowed to come to the territory for the 14-day plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment recommends the Government provide a response to the recommendations contained in this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee of Economic Development and Environment is pleased to provide the "Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery: Recommendations to the GNWT" and commends it to the House.