Mr. Speaker, as MLAs, we represent all the people. I’ve made reference to subsidies a few times, and how I believe sometimes we unintentionally make people dependent on the government.
I stress that to illustrate my point that there are a lot of people out there who are trying to make a go of it. As a government we should do what we can to help them along. I appreciate the government trying to give out subsidies to help people along, but it has to be something that’s fair for everybody.
I’d like to direct my questions today to the Minister of EC&E in regard to my Member’s statement on the Childcare Subsidy Program. I’d like to ask the Minister if there’s a certain amount of dollars that are allocated to each community or each region each year.
Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, yes, the Member is referencing subsidies for the communities. We do serve 33 communities on the subsidy of the child care services, early childhood programs and services.
Each community has an opportunity to apply for certain program dollars. They’re also entitled to our program dollars. There are federal dollars and Territorial dollars. The communities can apply on top of what we offer as a Territorial government. Mahsi.
I’d like to ask the Minister: if there’s no uptake on the child care subsidy in the communities, what happens to that money? Is it lapsed, or does it move on to another community?
Some of the money is based on the enrolment at the centres and facilities. Also, the Member is referring to…. If the money is held back or if there is a surplus, then we have to extend the money to different programs as well, where it is needed in the community. As I said, we serve 33 communities. We open up for communities that are in need of funding to offset their costs.
I speak specifically to individuals who are out there trying to work, get a job or go to school; or a combination of both, one working and one going to school. A lot of people who try to work have mortgage payments, and they have all of these other payments — federal tax, Territorial tax. I’d like to ask the Minister if there is a cap on the subsidy program, and if that cap is based on the gross or net pay.
Mr. Speaker, we assist individuals in the communities, whether it be the two parents or single parents, based on their needs and their income.
I will have to get back to the Member on the net versus gross. I don’t have that information in front of me, but certainly, I can work with the Member on the specific area.
We do try to assist all individuals who are in desperate need of funding to cover their programs in the communities — the child care programs. Mahsi.
Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.
I appreciate the Minister committing to get back to me on the gross or net.
I think “desperate” is the wrong word to be using right now, because there are a lot of people out there who are working; they are not desperate. They would like a subsidy that would help them along so they can see some money at the end of the day.
I notice the applications that they have to fill out to get these programs. There is so much here that by the time that they are all filled out, the child has already graduated from high school and the subsidy isn't needed anymore. I’d like to ask the Minister if there are any plans in the works to review the child care subsidy and make changes to it that are fair to everyone, especially those who are trying to work and contribute.
Mr. Speaker, there have been some changes to our program. We have increased 30 per cent in the child care program area. We are listening to our Members who raise an issue. Certainly, we will take that into consideration.
With various programs there is always room for improvement, so certainly, we will work with that and how we can expedite the application process.
We have our resource department staff who are more than willing to assist with the clients and parents as well. We will do our part as well. Mahsi.
Before I go on to the next question, colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to your rules of the House concerning food, which I determine to mean gum, candies, whatever. I would ask Members to please abide by your own rules. Thank you, Members.
