Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that children who have grown up in the child welfare system are more at risk of being homeless, homeless than others. The high numbers of Indigenous children and youth in care relates to the high number of Indigenous youth in the NWT seeking homes, housing.
Can the Minister describe when the department is dealing with young adults what types of exceptions are considered to support that person? Does the department recognize the need for flexibility and compassion when providing supports to youth? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope that we would always be a compassionate government. Sometimes our own policies and procedures get in the way of that and recognizing that we are working to change the income assistance program so that it can be more compassionate so it is not so rigid. However, as it currently stands, the income assistance program is laid out in regulations and so it is legislated so there is minimal flexibility in many instances. However, when we can be flexible, we are. And I've seen many instances of that happening. Thank you.
I would not have said compassion if I didn't have a reason.
Mr. Speaker, we need to ensure our residents have timely access to government supports as they struggle with many challenges. Completing unnecessary paperwork creates difficulty for accessibility. Can the Minister advise if there can be advanced payment to shelter and utility support to youth who are looking for support? Thank you.
Thank you. So utility payments are paid to utility providers upon receipt of an invoice. So I don't think there would be advanced payments made without that invoice. But if someone needs income assistance, they can go apply for income assistance and then they receive it pretty quickly. There's not generally a big period where people are waiting. So I'm not sure what the Member is referring to in advance of what; receiving support in advance of what? Thank you.
Advance payment to shelters and utilities to people. That's what I'm talking about. To where these young people are staying at, living at, and if it can be part of their income assistance instead of the policy that's in place. That's what I was referring to.
So, Mr. Speaker, couch surfing is also homelessness. What support does the department of ECE provide to help young adults break free of homelessness? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So just speaking to the income assistance program, because ECE does much more for young adults than just the income assistance program, ECE will pay for eligible clients' accommodations. So pay really the full cost of rent, the full cost of utilities to someone who needs that service. So that is the assistance that we provide with people who are seeking shelter. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Monfwi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
