Debates of May 30, 2005 (day 4)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and it's with regard to the Member’s statement that I made earlier. Madam Speaker, I know the Minister is very well aware of the issues I outlined in that statement, and that has to do with the fact that the Income Support Program that we have now is engineered and oriented for those who are in need of temporary help from the government, in between jobs or for whatever reason they need some social assistance until they get back on their feet. Some of them take longer than others.

Persons with disabilities have a completely different set of requirements and we know that some of them may never be able to get back to work and they shouldn’t be subject to the program that is oriented for some other need. I know that the department and the government are reviewing its policies and I would like to know where the Minister is with that review. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr Dent.

Return To Question 40-15(4): Income Support Policies For Special Needs Cases

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I agree with the Member’s assertions to how the program should cater to those who have disabilities or, for that matter, people who are seniors. There are different reasons for people participating in the program and the program needs to accommodate those differences.

We are in the process of working through the redesign of the Income Support Program. We are at the point where we are going to be going back to committee very shortly with some suggestions for how our policies could be accommodated to deal with the different people in the different categories. We have committed to go back to the committee, Madam Speaker, to discuss the issue the Member brings up; that is how the program redesign would deal with those who are disabled or those who are seniors. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 40-15(4): Income Support Policies For Special Needs Cases

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Absolutely, there is a process on the way but I think it’s good for us to air out our ideas and the process we are following. I would like to ask the Minister where the department and the Minister stands with respect to the possibility of treating those with disabilities differently than those who are on income support in a regular manner. For some public policy reasons, income support is quite low. One of the reasons, whether it’s accepted or not, is to encourage the people to get off the system and get better income options wherever possible. That is not the case and that’s not workable for those with disabilities. Is the Minister considering in his review to increase the assistance available for those with disabilities over what they get now? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Minister Dent.

Further Return To Question 40-15(4): Income Support Policies For Special Needs Cases

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The program right now already provides increased assistance for people who are on disability. There is an extra $300 a month for people who are considered disabled. So right now, there is an increased allowance.

Having said that, the Member has made a point that I am quite prepared to agree to and that is the purpose of supporting people through the Income Support Program who are disabled is one of providing an opportunity for citizenship. So as we redesign the program, I will be working with my colleagues to try to determine what is an appropriate level of support. That’s absolutely where we are headed with this; to take a look at the levels of support. The next step in this is to take a look at program redesign options. In that process, we will be involving stakeholders. So people like the Council for Persons with Disabilities. We will involve them in this consultative process, as well as other stakeholders. We are intending to try to respond to the different needs that different people have for the program. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 40-15(4): Income Support Policies For Special Needs Cases

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think that is where we should be heading. Madam Speaker, in his work, I wonder if there is any study or research going on as to what numbers we are dealing with. I think there is a very small segment of the population who is severely disabled, whether physically or cognitively, and who are not going to be able to partake in the mainstream working world. They need the help of the government. If the government could help them, with the help of family and friends, they can function relatively well in a situation that doesn’t have to be institutional. I would like to know whether in this review process a study is being done as to what sort of needs we are looking at. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 40-15(4): Income Support Policies For Special Needs Cases

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Absolutely, we will have that kind of assessment information done as we work through the redesign process, largely because I am going to have to come back to this Assembly for money to pay for whatever program we design. So all of those numbers will be available, yes.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 40-15(4): Income Support Policies For Special Needs Cases

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I know that the Minister is proposing to bring this to the committee. Could the Minister indicate any time frame as to when the stakeholders outside of this Assembly will be able to partake in this discussion? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 40-15(4): Income Support Policies For Special Needs Cases

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am actually meeting with the department tomorrow to update the process and the timelines, but I would expect that we would be ready for the public part of the redesign process no later than the end of June or early July. Thank you.