Jackson Lafferty

My understanding is that there are certain programming for disability cross-functioning with various institutions. I need to get the latest update from the college and provide that to the Members, then we can discuss further how we can improve those programs or make additions.

The Member is referring to the increase that should be taking effect, because we just went through the budget process, April 1st. That’s the information that I have, from $8,000 to $10,000.

Again, we are doing more groundwork with respect to other jurisdictions, what kind of programs they offer. If it’s better or even more than what we offer, then seriously we’ll take those into consideration, as well, and make some changes to our programming as we move forward.

Mr. Speaker, our income security programs provide support for those residents over the age of 19 and their families. It covers basic food, shelter and clothing needs, child care benefits, heating subsidies, income support and student financial assistance. It also provides supports for disabled residents.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that not one formula fits all needs. This is why our client service officers have a difficult job, one that few people can do. They do their best to meet the unique needs of their diverse clients, while at the same time adhering to the general guidelines and...

The language symposium is scheduled for next week. My colleague Mr. Nadli will be co-chairing with me on this. The expectation is, we want to hear from the general public, the experts in the field to give us direction, to give us guidance. We are going on the next phase of Aboriginal Language Secretariat on the long-range plan. We want to hear their input. Right now we’re at the first phase of the Aboriginal Language Secretariat. It’s just a basic approach and then we want to take on the second phase. That’s why we need their expert advice and recommendations on what we should be focusing on...

I’m glad the Member asked that question. That is a very important milestone that we have encountered. Working closely with the federal government we’ve identified funds to offset the costs of preserving and revitalizing our Aboriginal languages, even all official languages. We’ll continue to work towards that. Within our own department we have just over $14 million when you compile all the funding that we distribute throughout the Northwest Territories. It does enhance our stand with respect to Aboriginal language, and revitalizing and preserving it.

This is an area we continue to work on with...

Mahsi. We do take those case by case and quite seriously. If there are, whether it be missing documentation and so forth, we need to follow through with that. My client service officers through our department work closely with the clientele. There are some challenges that we’re faced with.

As you know, income support is a very challenging file. Every day our client service officers are challenged. I’d just like to encourage them to continue working with the clientele even though they may be frustrated. At the same time, we have to provide those supports to the clientele and we provide those...

Mahsi. There is development of an audit manual for the program auditor. That’s part of the process that we’re going to be developing over time and, again, this will be part of the process. There will be short-term, mid-term and long-term goals and objectives to follow through with the recommendations, and we are taking those recommendations quite seriously and we will be implementing them. Thank you.

We do recognize that some of the languages are on the verge of being lost. We are reaching out to the regional groups such as the Gwich’in. The Gwich’in Language Centre, the Gwich’in Language Board, there are various boards involved, promoting even more. We’ve identified funding, as I’ve indicated earlier. We want those individuals to be involved. Where should the funding be invested, which areas? Which areas are now working that we funded over the years? Where can we reinvest into those language revitalization or preservation? There are groups at the regional level that we work closely with...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. When it comes to the Aboriginal languages, official languages, there are various roles whether it be the parents, the grandparents, the teachers, the community members, the leaders. So there are various roles and within my department, as you know, there are various initiatives, whether it be the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative, the Language Strategy, and there is another symposium that’s coming up next week. We want to identify the second phase of an Aboriginal Languages Secretariat.

As you know, through the budget we discussed the Aboriginal Languages Secretariat...

Mahsi. As I stated, this is part of the whole complex issue that we’re dealing with. The recommendations that are brought to our attention, we will cover those areas and we will be developing an action plan to deal with each and every recommendation that is brought forward. Again, we’re taking those recommendations quite seriously. Those are the complex issues that came to our attention.

Again, the files that we deal with are very generic and they’re very complex across the Northwest Territories. I appreciate that the Auditor General came down, provided guidance and provided direction for us to...