One of the Auditor General of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 two 2023 reports to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut asserts in plain language that the territorial government is SA国际影视传媒渇ailing to protect vulnerable children and youth.SA国际影视传媒�

The report, titled Child and Family Services in Nunavut, was released publicly on May 30 SA国际影视传媒� the fifth day of the legislative assemblySA国际影视传媒檚 spring sitting.

It referred to the situation as a SA国际影视传媒渃risis.SA国际影视传媒�

It pointed to several areas of concern, noting that the Department of Family Services could not provide accurate numbers on the number of children in foster care in the territory, and that the department SA国际影视传媒渄id not respond or was slow to act in many casesSA国际影视传媒� when children are at risk at home.

SA国际影视传媒淭he audit found failures in all areas examined, from responding to reports of suspected harm, to completing investigations and following up with children, youth and young adults placed in care in the territory or in southern Canada,SA国际影视传媒� the report stated.

In terms of the causes of these issues, the report pointed to SA国际影视传媒渟evere, chronic gaps in critical areas such as staffing, housing and office space for employees, and training of employees.SA国际影视传媒� It also alleged that the department is not providing a safe work environment for its staff.

The document did not contain any recommendations for the department, implying instead that recommendations in previous reports SA国际影视传媒� the last one coming in 2014 SA国际影视传媒� did not yield any results.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is the third time since 2011 that we have raised these concerns,SA国际影视传媒� the report reads. SA国际影视传媒淩ecommendations in our previous two reports received agreement from the department and commitments for significant improvements that have yet to result in changed outcomes for the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 children, youth, and families.SA国际影视传媒�

Premier P.J. Akeeagok, who had already been briefed on the auditor generalSA国际影视传媒檚 findings, was quick to respond to the report, and promised SA国际影视传媒渟wiftSA国际影视传媒� action in a news release.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur government acknowledges and accepts Auditor General Karen HoganSA国际影视传媒檚 findings,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淐hildren are the future of our territory. As premier, and as a father, I am deeply disheartened by her report that says the delivery of child and family services in Nunavut is in a crisis state.SA国际影视传媒�

Akeeagok went on to promise the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs will take a SA国际影视传媒渨hole-of-government approachSA国际影视传媒� to SA国际影视传媒減rovide oversight across departments for services related to the well-being of children, youth, and families.SA国际影视传媒�

Family Services Minister Margaret Nakashuk also addressed the contents of the report, stating, SA国际影视传媒淚 fully accept the contents of the performance audit. I am deeply committed to making the changes that need to be made.SA国际影视传媒�

Nakashuk laid out plans to increase her departmentSA国际影视传媒檚 commitment to hiring qualified workers, including social workers, as well as engaging Elders and foster families in hopes of improving the situation. Staff housing, office space and software were also listed as areas where Family Services, in collaboration with other GN departments, will seek to improve.

The auditor general also released an unrelated report titled Covid-19 Vaccines in Nunavut. It was decidedly less severe, stating that SA国际影视传媒渧accinations in Nunavut were quick and equitableSA国际影视传媒� and crediting GN departments for SA国际影视传媒渨orking together and with community stakeholders to quickly give all Nunavummiut access to the vaccinesSA国际影视传媒�

However, the assessment did point out several areas where the GN could improve, specifically with respect to staff and nursing shortages.

Waste was also a problem, according to the report.

SA国际影视传媒淏ecause of the absence of an inventory management system for tracking vaccines, the department could not account for 19,542 doses (16 per cent),SA国际影视传媒� the report read. SA国际影视传媒淭he Department of Health reported wastage of 15 per cent, but the percentage could be as high as 31 per cent when the known wastage is combined with the doses that were unaccounted for.SA国际影视传媒�

Akeeagok also addressed the Auditor GeneralSA国际影视传媒檚 Covid-19 findings in a news release.

SA国际影视传媒淩egarding Covid-19 vaccine distribution, recommendations will be implemented as the GN continues to ensure that vaccine rollout is effective and equitable. This evaluation reinforces the actions we took and will continue to take to improve healthcare delivery and services for Nunavummiut. Vaccines save lives, and we continue to encourage Nunavummiut to protect themselves and their communities by getting vaccinated.SA国际影视传媒�