Status of Women committee  That was not our recommendation. It's not within our purview to make that kind of a recommendation.

Status of Women committee  Yes, it's the council that recommended that.

Status of Women committee  Mitch has been doing some work with the Assembly of First Nations in that regard. Maybe I'll let him speak about it.

Status of Women committee  Not that I'm aware of. This is really not our purview. It would be more in the hands of the Department of Justice. But it's a great question. Deborah or Nancy? We come across the issue of legal aid in our work with disability claimants, particularly in the appeals process.

Status of Women committee  We do undertake gender-based analysis on all of our policies and programs as they're being developed and designed. I think Deborah did explain to you the process that we have in place in the department to do this, so that we are in a position to provide some advice on potential

Status of Women committee  I don't think there are any that accurately look at it.

Status of Women committee  Again, this is a question that needs to be addressed by our colleagues in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, because housing is not our particular area of expertise. I can undertake to get the answer to that for you.

Status of Women committee  I think the only question you raised that Mitch has not addressed is on the NACA report and the recommendations that applied to improvements in the level of income for the guaranteed income supplement. Did I understand your question?

Status of Women committee  Unfortunately, we do not have anyone from the employment insurance program here this morning, and I don't know the answer to your specific question, but I'll undertake to get you the answers to those questions you have raised.

Status of Women committee  Yes, we can do that.

Status of Women committee  You've also asked about whether poverty amongst older women is dropping. I noted in my opening comments the drop that has taken place over the past few years. The recent measure that was introduced to provide an increase to the GIS will mean that we will make the benefit availabl

Status of Women committee  There already is an earnings exemption in the OAS.

Status of Women committee  It's 20% or $500 of earnings. I would ask Mr. Bloom to respond as well.

Status of Women committee  Studies are always under way about how we might be able to improve what we have right now. I think the Ianno task force report recommended an increase of about $4,000 to the exemption. There is work under way, but it's work and a study that are under way.

Status of Women committee  Thanks, Deborah. Let me give you a quick overview on some of the features of our retirement income system. It's a retirement income system that is recognized worldwide as one of the best. Over the past 25 years, low income among seniors, including female seniors, has been sign