Debates of March 10, 2009 (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement today was on the income support cheques and regarding the way they’re distributed to the communities. Will the government re-evaluate the way income support cheques are distributed and how various government departments deal with residents in the small communities?

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Member did bring that to my attention a while ago about distribution of cheques into the small community, whether it be some sort of non-cash item in the stores. Some family members are not getting the actual food that they should be getting. Those are the areas we are seriously looking at, how we can distribute a certain amount, whether it be the cheques or vouchers to the stores, so that the families can certainly benefit from it. I’m glad the Member is raising this issue because it is important to us, the well-being of the children and the community.

Will the government commit to develop a true one-stop shop for all government support services?

Certainly that is one of our goals when we transfer the program, the one-stop shop that we’ve been talking about here in the Assembly. We continue to do so; provide various subsidies in a one-window approach. So we continue to improve in that area. However, if we can improve in certain areas, we’d like to hear from the Members as well. Certainly that will be one of our mandates to move forward, to have a one-stop approach.

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.