YELLOWKNIFE (Thursday, October 25, 2018) -  On December 12, 2018, Mr. Michael Ferguson, Auditor General of Canada, will be appearing before the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Government Operations as the Committee conducts a public hearing on the Auditor’s report on Child and Family Services, released earlier this week in the Legislative Assembly.

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) of Canada undertook a review of Child and Family Services and tabled its original audit report in the Legislative Assembly on March 14, 2014. Overall, the OAG found that the Department of Health and Social Services and the Health and Social Services authorities were not adequately meeting their key responsibilities for the protection and well-being of children, youth, and families. The findings of that audit were of such concern that the OAG made an independent decision to undertake a follow-up audit. 

The Standing Committee on Government Operations has been advised by the OAG and has determined that there continue to be serious deficiencies in the delivery of child and family services in the NWT and that many of the services provided to children and families were worse than when they were examined in 2014. “This is deeply concerning to Members of the Standing Committee and we will be undertaking a detailed review of the audit’s findings and the Department’s response when we examine this report in December,” said Standing Committee Chair, Kieron Testart.

The Standing Committee is mandated to review the reports of the Auditor General of Canada and will produce its own report in follow-up to the public hearing.  Mr. Ferguson will appear as a witness before Committee, as will officials from the Department of Health and Social Services.  The review will take place on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 10:30 am in Committee Room ‘A’ of the Legislative Assembly building.

Background information: Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly – 2018:  Independent Auditor’s Report – Child and Family Services – Department of Health and Social Services and Health and Social Services Authorities.
 
For more information, contact:
                                   
Jennifer Franki-Smith, Committee Clerk
Standing Committee on Government Operations
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
p:  867-767-9130 ext 12009 or toll free 1-800-661-0784
E:  Jennifer_Franki-Smith@gov.nt.ca