Madam Speaker, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is pleased to provide its Report on Progress on the Committee Priorities and Objectives and present it to the House.

In April 2004, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight held a two-day operational planning workshop to review its mandate and set its priorities and objectives for the 15th Assembly. These plans were shared with our colleagues and the public in our first Report on Priorities and Objectives, which we presented to the Legislative Assembly on June 1, 2004.

The committee held its second operational...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a petition to submit with regard to infrastructure poll and constituents having issue with the courthouse in Yellowknife. Begging the House’s indulgence, I did not sign this petition.

---Laughter

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is how does this government recognize who is disabled? That is what the people are asking me. Could the Minister answer that, Madam Speaker?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Given that people with disabilities need to support the GNWT and already experience considerable difficulties and financial strain, what criteria do we use to identify those who are disabled and want to access government programs? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I will be pleased to provide the Minister with that information. Here is a case where we are going to have to look at it, and probably immediately, the procedural changes like the FMBS is really wanting to put in place. But when it applies to the smaller communities and seasonal workers, it just does not make sense and I will forward to the Minister more detail if the Minister is willing to have a good look and maybe make some immediate changes, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is my pleasure to have in the House assisting us this week two Pages from Fort Liard, Cheryl Bertrand and Elsie Marcellais. I'd like to thank you very much.

---Applause

Madam Speaker…(English not provided).

Madam Speaker, people with disabilities in our communities may need some kind of assistance from time to time, depending on the level of disabilities. They deserve our respect and commitment. This government should work closely with communities to improve the lives of people with disabilities, eliminating unnecessary barriers and discrimination.

Several of my constituents have expressed their frustration with this government's administration, policies and procedures. As we know, there are many programs to assist people with disabilities in the Government...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Above all, there was a disability framework being worked on and I don’t know how much of it was implemented by this government. Will the GNWT help reduce administrative barriers for assistance for disability and develop a standard criteria that is accessible and equitable for all, Madam Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have had a bunch of questions with regard to the definition of a disability. That’s the same problem that constituents are having in Wrigley, Fort Liard or Fort Simpson. They are saying that I believe I am disabled and the government doesn’t believe it, so how do I get them to believe that I am disabled. What is the definition of a disabled person? Could the Minister answer that for me?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In this case, it is the community of Trout Lake and they have been waiting all year for their seasonal work and now that they have it, they are not going to be paid for a month. This is a case where a bureaucratic decision just does not work in the smaller communities. I will champion the smaller communities over the bureaucracy any day, Madam Speaker. I would like to know, is the Minister willing to look at this situation and improve the process for payment of the workers in smaller communities? Thank you.