Debates of October 17, 2006 (day 9)

Marci, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, we, all in this House, know the importance of the Income Security Program and other subsidy programs this government delivers to northern residents. I just wanted to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, the Honourable Charles Dent, if any review of these subsidy programs and the Income Security Program has been developed to date, because I think he mentioned six months ago that, oh well, we should have some proposed changes and recommendations in about six months or so. I got it in the Hansard from six months ago that he actually stated that. So I’m just wondering, are those reports done, reviews made, recommendations going to come forward? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 105-15(5): Income Security Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have taken to the Standing Committee on Social Programs several times over the past few months some proposals for program changes. We’ve discussed where we’re headed with this program. At this point, we’re in the process of developing the costings for the different models that are under consideration that we’re expecting to be able to take to the standing committee in November or December and the goal would be to look at implementing changes for April 1st, 2007. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 105-15(5): Income Security Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If there has been some recommendations and reviews done, and I’m sure if it’s gone to the standing committee, but to my knowledge the standing committee is telling me there’s nothing in the business plans. These business plans are five-year plans, Mr. Speaker, you know, and if you’re reviewing and making recommendations on program changes and developments, maybe they should be included in the business plans for that year and the next five years to come. You know, the importance of these programs, I know over the last six months things are really quiet on the NWT front as far as people pounding on your door for income security because it’s warm and they don’t need the heat so bad, but in the wintertime it really gets heated up. People really get concerned. So I’m just wondering what proposed changes can the Minister provide to Members of this House and the general public that are going to be beneficial for people in the NWT over the next winter? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 105-15(5): Income Security Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The program is constantly under review for ways in which it can be improved. In terms of adding money to the budget, at this point there hasn’t been any plan to add money to the budget. We’re looking for ways to change the program delivery so that we can use what we have in the program more efficiently. There may be some proposals for change and may be some requirement for adding money, but that’s something that I would have to discuss after we come up with the program redesign, and that, Mr. Speaker, as I said, won’t happen before sometime in November and December. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 105-15(5): Income Security Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, these proposed changes and recommendations that this government has been working on over the past six months seem to be really dragging on and I think in the last session people weren’t looking for some major changes to the program, they’re not too bad to say the least, but all Members were looking for is just some tweaking in the Income Security Program, the Seniors’ Rent Subsidy Program, even the Rent Scale Program. All we were asking for is some small changes that make big difference for the people out in the smaller communities. So what’s the big holdup here? Why does it take a year to tweak a program, you know? Like, we would like to see something on paper and be able to assure the general public that, yes, we are tweaking the program to better accommodate specific needs. Can the Minister give us something that we can provide the general public, the income security clients with and say hey, yes, it’s going to get better for you. Is there anything like that, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 105-15(5): Income Security Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the reasons that it takes so much time to change a program like this is that it is so important to so many people in the Northwest Territories. Because of that, we’ve spent a lot of time consulting with northerners and people were consulted in every region of the Northwest Territories. A lot of people asked for some significant changes, not just little tweaks, but significant changes. People have asked us to look at changing the program from a program of last resort to a program that looks at what does a person need in order to be more successful, to be more self-sufficient. In other words, how can we better case manage the program so that perhaps we deal with people as individuals instead of just a group of people. To make that kind of change does take time, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 105-15(5): Income Security Programs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the importance of the program, as do a lot of clients and people in the NWT, but I just want to specify I think why it’s so difficult to change or even tweak these programs is because they’re so old. The bureaucracy is so used to delivering these programs there is just no appetite for change. You know, a lot of people in the public service do good work, but a lot of them don’t want to change. You know, they’ve been there so long and they’re so used to some programs and the way it’s delivered, that there is just refusal in the regions, at the headquarters' offices, even at the local level to initiate any change. I think that any change should come from the top down. If there are some tough decisions that have to be made, then the Minister should make those decisions and say that’s what we are going to do. We are just going to do it today, not in a year, in three years or five years. Let’s do it today.

Do you have a question, Mr. Villeneuve?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.