The Office of the Auditor General of Canada released a report today on Child and Family Services in the Northwest Territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) welcomes and accepts the Auditor General’s findings and recommendations and acknowledges the importance of independent oversight of government programs and services. The GNWT’s response is included in the report.

The report identifies ongoing challenges in the delivery and oversight of Child and Family Services in the NWT. Its findings highlight concerns related to service consistency, accountability, and workforce pressures—issues that continue to affect children, youth, and families across the territory.

The GNWT recognizes that Child and Family Services is not yet where it needs to be. Work is underway to build a system that strengthens families, supports children and youth to remain safely at home and in their community whenever possible, and fosters strong cultural and community connections.

Over the past several years, the Child and Family Services system has undergone sustained quality improvement and system transformation. While this work does not address all the issues identified by the Auditor General, it provides a strong foundation for responding to the recommendations in a more structured and coordinated way.

Some actions are already underway to address issues identified in the report. These include improving consistency in foster care supports and strengthening how workforce and caseload data are used for planning and oversight. The GNWT will use the Auditor General’s findings to better identify where changes are needed to improve consistency, planning, and support for families.

Improving outcomes for children and youth requires a whole-of-government approach. It also requires meaningful engagement with Indigenous governments and community governments and organizations. Collaboration with partners—particularly Indigenous governments—will remain central to advancing this work, including addressing the recommendations and strengthening the design and delivery of Child and Family Services.

The GNWT will incorporate the Auditor General’s recommendations into ongoing system improvements, including the implementation and realignment of the Child, Youth, and Family Services Strategic Direction and Action Plan. Regular public updates will be shared as this work advances.

Quote:

“This report shines an important light on the Child and Family Services system, and we fully accept the Auditor General’s findings and recommendations and we are committed to acting on them. It clearly identifies where we need to do better and reinforces the importance of consistent, measurable progress. Moving forward, we will focus on strengthening accountability, supporting healing, and working in close partnership with Indigenous governments and communities to take practical, sustained action. Our priority is to ensure the system better supports children, youth, and families now and into the future.”

 - Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick facts

• The Auditor General made four recommendations related to Child and Family Services.
• The GNWT has accepted all four recommendations.

Related Links

• Office of the Auditor General of Canada – Report on Child and Family Services in the Northwest Territories
• Child, Youth and Family Services Strategic Direction and Action Plan (2023-2028)

For media requests, please contact:
Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
HSSmedia@gov.nt.ca