Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to give some clarity to this House on the recipients of the income support program. First and foremost, it is not my intention of trying to punish the users of this program that is initiated by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. My intentions are to try and give the independence back to the residents of the Northwest Territories. One of my main goals as I became MLA for Mackenzie Delta riding was to find alternatives to the program for the recipients.
Mr. Speaker, the income support program is in place to assist the residents for a short period of time, not to make a living off this essential program. There are definitely people out there, the disabled and the elderly, who require the assistance of this program to make sure their well-being is indeed looked after, and the income assistance program addresses this need. Mr. Speaker, there are young adults who are able to work and/or go back to school for a brighter future for themselves and their families, yet they are caught up in the system.
These are the individuals who I am speaking for. I would like to assist them in getting their independence back and build their self-esteem. Getting these individuals back into the workforce, or reviving their culture and traditional lifestyles, would enable them to live a healthier life for themselves and their families. They would, in turn, be role models to their children and others within the communities.
Mr. Speaker, I personally have great hope and aspirations for the residents of the Northwest Territories. I want to see them prosper and to get their independence back, but I cannot do this on my own. It takes this government, the community leadership, and the individuals to make this goal a reality. With the collaboration with all stakeholders, we can have a healthy territory, a healthy community, and healthy independent residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.
