GN & Municipality of Cape Dorset

Iqaluit, Nunavut (August 30, 2011) – After seven years, the Municipality of Cape Dorset is giving the job of delivering social programs, including child protection services, back to the territorial government.

“This is such an important role in our community and we feel that it should once again be back within the Department of Health and Social Services,” said Cape Dorset Mayor Cary Merritt. “We have many other areas to focus on in our community and social services is one area that the territorial government looks after in most communities as it has broader access to human resource requirements and services. By mutual decision, we believe they should do so again here in Cape Dorset,”“The most important thing is providing the best possible service to the children and families of Cape Dorset and together we came to the conclusion that the best way to do that is for the Department to re-establish its role as social services provider in the community,” said Minister of Health and Social Services Tagak Curley.

Only Cape Dorset and Igloolik have agreements with the Government or Department to provide social programs in their communities. The Department already provides all other Nunavut communities with social programs and services.

The original agreement was signed on April 1, 2004 and the decision to terminate the agreement was made during discussions earlier in July. The effective date of the termination will be September 30, 2011.

“This will provide ample time for the Department of Health and Social Services to ensure positions are filled and human resource requirements are met,” said Curley. “We’re working together with the hamlet to ensure a seamless transition.”

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Media Contact:

Pam Coulter
Director of Communications
Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs
Tel: 867-975-6049
Email: pcoulter2[at]gov.nu.ca