Minister on hot seat

'Call Jake Ootes'

Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 09/01) - A dispute over a territorial clawback on income support might cause even more hardship for the poor.

Citing budgetary constraints, the Yellowknife Food Bank will no longer provide emergency food aid to families in need.

Jake Ootes

The move by the food bank was inspired by the territorial government's clawback of federal heating fuel rebates from income support recipients to the tune of $25 a month.

The food bank currently opens twice a month for people whose cupboards run bare.

Pat Martin, vice-president of the food bank, says that her organization is concerned that increased demand might put them in a position where they would have to turn away people in need.

"We're on a budget, just like everybody else," said Martin. She said that individuals and families who run out of food are being told to "call Jake Ootes."

"This is a political ploy, but that's OK," an exasperated-sounding Ootes said when told that calls were being directed to his office. The minister of Education, Culture and Employment added that individuals or families requiring emergency assistance should contact income support.

Last month, the federal government sent out cheques for $125 to all individuals and $250 for all families who qualified for a GST rebate. The payout was Ottawa's attempt to offset skyrocketing energy prices.

Ootes' department originally clawed back the full amount from some income support recipients, but was forced to backtrack after some people received food allowances for $3 last week.