Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, the income support system in the North is one that’s received recognition for its philosophy, for its approach, and for its effectiveness. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, we know that for an estimated 80 percent, or about three-quarters of the clients who come onto this system, it does work very well. It is intended to be a temporary hand-up to help people get on their feet, get re-established and into the community and working on their own.

However, Mr. Speaker, there are some people -- and I would suggest that it’s about one-quarter of the clients -- who continue to have chronic difficulties and issues with the support system and, I think especially, Mr. Speaker, the way that controls and criteria and limitations are placed on it. For some people, especially those with lifestyle and disabilities issues, they just don’t have the skills, Mr. Speaker, to cope with some of these conditions.

Let me give you a few examples. Landlords in Yellowknife, I am told, are very reluctant to accept Income Support clients as tenants, Mr. Speaker. The reason is at least partially because of the systematic way that their payments are administered by the system. Sometimes mistakes are made and landlords do not get paid and they end up carrying the bill.

This is not a healthy situation in an economy and community where housing is at a premium. Mr. Speaker, income tax refunds are continually clawed back. Most Canadians look forward to this kind of thing if they are in that position, even Income Support clients can get income tax refunds, but we claw them back.

Mr. Speaker, even families who have been gifted with things like airline tickets to go to a funeral, in one case, got the value of that ticket clawed back. Mr. Speaker, there are double standards. We in this government, as MLAs, are on this same plan. We get about $60 a day for food allowances when we are travelling, but an Income Support client, a single mom with one child, gets $230 a month. They get the equivalent of what we get in four days for food allowances.

Mr. Speaker, these are chronic issues that continue to be unacceptable and I want to bring them to the attention of the House. Thank you.

---Applause