Debates of March 9, 2005 (day 52)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is blessed with the highest increase in gross domestic product in Canada. Our per capita income is the envy of Canada. But, Mr. Speaker, the distribution of this wealth is so widespread that from the top to the bottom they are a universe apart.

Mr. Speaker, 15 percent of tax filers in the year 2002 reported incomes of under $25,000. Now government has a duty to respond and redistribute that wealth and help to put it into the hands and pockets of the people who need it most. Indeed we do, we have done so, Mr. Speaker. In the last four years this government has put one-hundred-million new dollars into social safety programs and living subsidies.

---Applause

That is a tremendous record. But, Mr. Speaker, I have to take a look and ask is it doing any good? I will use child poverty as one measuring stick of this. Mr. Speaker, between 1998 and 2002, according to the Bureau of Statistics' numbers, we have only managed to hold the line. We have not made a difference, despite that huge investment and the immense wealth, the astounding wealth that we have. We have not made a difference in the levels of child poverty. For kids under 17, Mr. Speaker, we still have about 3,000 children, or a quarter of the total number of children under 17, considered in low income situations. That means they are probably not adequately housed, fed or educated.

Mr. Speaker, we are undergoing a review of all of this government's social services and cost of living subsidies. There are something like 17 of them spread across just about every one of our departments. This is an area that must receive the absolute highest priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.