Ms Pastoor: Mr. Speaker, we have heard from a number of constituents that their rent support has run out and that the income support has turned them away, telling them to move to cheaper accommodations, but affordable housing is all too rare, and rents have not come down. 

To the Minister of Employment and Immigration: Albertans are not receiving the housing support they need from this government, so how much of the income support budget is going towards emergency housing?

Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr. Speaker, I cannot give the member the actual percentage, and that’s something that I would gladly get back to her on if she is looking at percentages from the budget. I can tell you one thing. We do provide assistance for individuals who find themselves in a difficult position, and part of the assistance is a housing allowance that provides for rent. What percentage of the overall budget is the housing allowance? That’s a very technical question, and I’ll be glad to come back with the actual numbers.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Pastoor: Thank you. I look forward to that answer.

Given that since this minister has taken over control of the homelessness and eviction prevention fund, no one has any idea of how big the cuts have been to the program, will the minister make this information public?

Mr. Lukaszuk: Well, Mr. Speaker, how much more public can my budget be? I was in estimates. I’m not sure if that member attended estimates or read the Hansard, but I have gone through estimates line by line, and members of the opposition could have asked me any questions that they want. I can table a copy of this ministry’s budget in the Legislature at the next opportunity, and she can look through it. All the numbers are for public consumption.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Pastoor: Thank you. Same minister. Given that other provinces like Ontario and B.C. make this information and much more information about income support public, why is this government keeping Albertans in the dark? It isn’t always clear in the budget.

It comes across just as lines.

Mr. Lukaszuk: Well, Mr. Speaker, the member comes from Lethbridge, and I understand they had some electricity problems in southern Alberta, hence the darkness. We have a budget that we have tabled in the House. I have gone through this ministry’s estimates line by line, open to anybody’s questions. I can table the budget of this ministry that itemizes every single expenditure. We also have the blue book that shows every contract expense the ministry has. I’m not sure how much more transparent I can be other than asking the member to come to my office, sit down with me, and I’ll discuss it with her.

Alberta Hansard, April 15, 2010

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