Hon. Bonnie Mitchelson (Minister of Family Services): I am pleased to present to this committee for its consideration the 1997-98 Expenditures of Estimates for the Department of Family Services.

I look forward to engaging in the constructive discussion regarding the directions our government has set out for Family Services in these Estimates. I just wanted to say at the outset that I know that we have had several years of, I think, good dialogue and discussion around the issues in Family Services through this committee process.

The main factor which has challenged our ability to maintain social programs in Manitoba and in other provinces across the country has been the introduction of the Canada Health and Social Transfer, which replaced the Canada Assistance Plan funding last April. Despite the loss of $227 million this year alone, I am pleased that we have been able to maintain our commitments to families and children.

In fact, I am pleased to say that we have been able to increase the funding to Manitoba Family Services in 1997-98. Particularly notable are the additional allocations to our Community Living Division, where we have an overall increase of 4.3 percent and to our Child and Family Services Division, which will have an increase of 2.7 percent over last year.

I will provide more specific information on the divisions later on, but first I would like to say a few words regarding the department as a whole. This department provides a broad range of social services to Manitobans and is responsible for ensuring children are safe and protected; encouraging individual, family and community responsibility; fostering independence and self-sufficiency while assisting Manitobans in times of need; and supporting the development of sustainable communities.

The department has four main operating divisions: Administration and Finance; Employment and Income Assistance; Community Living; and Child and Family Services. In addition, the department has two internal service providers, Policy and Planning, and Human Resource Services. Two other units report to me directly, The Social Services Advisory Committee and the Children's Advocate.

The department has an ambitious agenda in the coming fiscal year. Some of the areas we will be giving attention to include continuing our efforts to reform Manitoba's welfare system by actively working in partnership with the community to help clients gain independence through employment; establishing a one-tier system of income assistance delivery in the city of Winnipeg; engaging in discussions with the disability community and the federal government to redesign vocational rehabilitation services; introducing an Adoption Act and implementing amendments to The Child and Family Services Act to reflect the results of community consultations; implementing pilot projects throughout the province which will engage families in decision making for care planning for high-risk children; redesigning youth emergency services to be more effective.

In January we announced our intention to close Seven Oaks Centre following the development of a continuum of services that will range from community-based support to short-term residential placement; implementing the findings of the child day care fact finding mission to provide better service to working families; working with the federal government and with other provinces and territories on the design of a new national child benefit system and on an integrated system of support programs and services for persons with disabilities.

Last year we embarked on an important new direction for our welfare programs. We introduced a new employment and income assistance program. The changes that were made focused on employment first for those who are able to work. Along with this employment first strategy we have forged a new partnership with the Department of Education and Training to refocus existing resources to respond to the needs of clients, community and employers and to provide skills development and training that will lead to employment. This partnership has improved the quality of service to clients while eliminating duplication and overlap in assessment services. This initiative has been a major step forward because it represents a break from the old welfare system which fostered dependence and reliance on government.

With the very best of intentions, that of helping the most needy, we have encouraged a cycle where generation after generation of families remain on welfare. I am pleased to be a member of a government which is committed to assisting Manitoba families to achieve greater self sufficiency and independence. If we were not to encourage and facilitate the transition to employment, many families, including those headed by single parents, would be consigned to a life of poverty on income assistance. We have therefore placed a high priority on supports and services which enhance employment skills, encourage self-reliance, and facilitate the transition from income assistance to employment.

There are those who have taken issue with our policies to encourage single parents on income assistance to make the transition to employment. I have clarified our policies on numerous occasions. The changes we have made focus primarily on those who are most capable of employment. Clients who are not affected by the changes include the disabled, the elderly and single parents with children who are under six years of age. Single parents with children under the age of six will not be expected to work or prepare for work unless they have been supported previously in education or training programs designed to enhance their employability. Single parents with children under the age of six are expected to prepare a personal job plan and if possible to take steps to be employment-ready by the time their youngest child reaches the age of six and is in school full time.

Income assistance clients have responded positively to our government's challenge to seek work. It is clear that clients do want to work.

Mr. Chairperson: Order, please. The hour being 6 p.m., committee rise.