Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As an elected official, I would like nothing better than to see the residents of the Northwest Territories succeed. No matter what kind of lifestyle we choose, we all possess potential. This potential that we all have can only grow and make us better citizens of our respective communities. But, Mr. Speaker, the income support system is failing our residents and helping them develop on their given potential. We have many members of our communities who choose not to seek a productive, meaningful choice for a brighter future for themselves and their families merely for the fact that the system is handing these individuals everything on a silver platter. The department must find a better alternative in allocating the funds that are given to the recipients of this program. Providing a cheque to the individuals is just not working.
Mr. Speaker, how can we help our own people build on their potential if we continue to provide them with monetary gain when they are contributing nothing in return? It is time that the income support system changes its approach and start the process of building the selfesteem of these recipients of the program.
Mr. Speaker, the income support program should change its policies, encourage these clients to conduct some sort of productive choices when they are receiving benefits from the income support program. Like I stated earlier, we all have potential and we can build on the potential with a little encouragement. Conducting productive choices can only improve the process. It is time for the system to help and expanding on the potential of our residents and not take away their selfesteem.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
