Debates of March 10, 2009 (day 26)

March

10

2009

Session

16th Assembly, 3rd Session

Day

26

Speaker

Word PDF

Members Present

2944

Assembly Members

Member Default

Hay River North

Member Default

Member Default

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Member Default

Member Default

Member Default

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Yellowknife Centre

Member Default

Jackie Jacobson

Member Default

Mackenzie Delta

Member Default

Jackson Lafferty

Member Default

Member Default

Yellowknife South

Member Default

Member Default

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Member Default

Kevin A. Menicoche

Member Default

Michael Miltenberger

Member Default

Member Default

Inuvik Boot Lake

Member Default

Norman Yakeleya

Topics

BILL 12: SECURITIES TRANSFER ACT

BILL 13: AN ACT TO AMEND THE COMMISSIONER’S LAND ACT

BILL 14: AN ACT TO AMEND THE MOTOR VEHICLES ACT

BILL 15: MISCELLANEOUS STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 2009

BILL 16: SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION ACT (INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENDITURES), NO. 1, 2009-2010

BILL 4: PUBLIC LIBRARY ACT

BILL 7: AN ACT TO AMEND THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ACT

COMMITTEE MOTION 15-16(3): CONCURRENCE OF TD 25(16(3), SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION NO. 1 (INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENDITURES) 2009-2010 CARRIED

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON AFFORDABLE RENT PROTECTION MEASURES

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON CONCERNS OF LUTSELK’E CONSTITUENTS

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON CORRELATION BETWEEN HEALTHY CHOICES AND HEALTH CARE EXPENDITURES

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON DISCLOSURE OF OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES BY GNWT EMPLOYEES

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON FUNDING FOR NORMAN WELLS BREAKWATER PROJECT

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY LOGGING AND SAWMILL PROGRAMS

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON INCOME SUPPORT CHEQUE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON SNOWMOBILE TRIP TO PEEL RIVER HEADWATERS

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON SUPPORTS FOR THE BUSINESS SECTOR IN UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC TIMES

MINISTER’S STATEMENT 62-16(3): COUNSEIL DE DEVELOPPEMENT ECONOMIQUE DES TERRITORIES DU NORD-OUEST AWARDS CEREMONY STATEMENT

MINISTER’S STATEMENT 63-16(3): COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING FUND

MOTION 17-16(3): EXTENDED ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE TO MAY 27, 2009

MOTION 18-16(3): REMOVAL OF GST FOR CERTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES NORTH OF 60

MOTION 19-16(3): PRESENTATION OF FINAL REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT

MOTION 20-16(3): APPOINTMENT OF LANGUAGES COMMISSIONER

QUESTION 292-16(3): FUNDING FOR NORMAN WELLS BREAKWATER PROJECT

QUESTION 293-16(3): DISCLOSURE OF OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES BY GNWT EMPLOYEES

QUESTION 294-16(3): INCOME SUPPORT CHEQUE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS

QUESTION 295-16(3): AFFORDABLE RENT PROTECTION MEASURES

QUESTION 296-16(3): IMPROVEMENTS TO FAMILY LAW SERVICES

QUESTION 297-16(3): STABLE FUNDING FOR DAYCARE OPERATIONS

QUESTION 298-16(3): FUNDING ALTERNATIVES FOR LARGE-SCALE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

QUESTION 299-16(3): HEALTH CHOICES AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EFFORTS

QUESTION 300-16(3): COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS ON SAHTU HOUSING CONCERNS

QUESTION 301-16(3): STABLE FUNDING FOR DAYCARE OPERATIONS

QUESTION 302-16(3): GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY LOGGING AND SAWMILL OPERATIONS

QUESTION 303-16(3): STABLE FUNDING FOR DAYCARE OPERATIONS

QUESTION 304-16(3): PUBLIC TENDER AND MARKET DISRUPTIONS PROCEDURES

QUESTION 305-16(3): ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE BUSINESS INCENTIVE POLICY

QUESTION 306-16(3): CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE WORKERS’ SAFETY AND COMPENSATION COMMISSION

TABLED DOCUMENT 28-16(3): YELLOWKNIVES DENE COUNCIL RESOLUTION REGARDING GNWT RENT SUBSIDY PROGRAMME - REVERTING INCOME ASSESSMENTS TO YELLOWKNIves DENE FIRST NATION HOUSING DIVISION

WRITTEN QUESTION 5-16(3): MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT NORTH SLAVE CORRECTIONAL CENTRE

Statements

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON INCOME SUPPORT CHEQUE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS

Member Default

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am speaking in regards to income support cheque payments. The previous government dramatically changed the way income support was given, against the recommendation of most community governments and organizations. Furthermore, the previous government offered no support, notice or plans to help communities and residents deal with the changes.

Today Nunakput is dealing with the legacy of neglect and this government seems to endorse this legacy. Leaders and elders, support staff were all asking the government to re-evaluate the way cheques are given to recipients so bills can be made, people can put food on the table and the continued cycle of dependency can stop. Due to these challenges, people are getting deeper and deeper into arrears to the point where it becomes overwhelming.

Recently in Tuktoyaktuk, a family of four and a baby were evicted from their home. Now they can get no support because they don’t even have an address, Mr. Speaker. This government must help families with personal difficulties to end this cycle of dependency, but this government needs to go one step further to work with the local suppliers of grocery stores and to help the residents and the communities work out a system where the families can put food on the table, a program similar to food stamps.

Since these changes were made, the longer the government waits, the bigger the ticking bomb will get. We will need a true one-stop shop where people can deal with all their issues where payments and expenses can be resolved before the recipient receives a cheque. Getting the run around and the blame game when dealing with the government departments and financial problems in the communities can be exhausting. Communities in my riding especially need the government to be creative, proactive and realistic when dealing with the government income support payments, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I will have more questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.