GN appeals orphan care judgment

The Nunavut government will appeal a court judgement that orders them to start caring, within one year, for orphaned youth between the ages of 16 and 18, Leona Aglukkaq, the health minister, announced this past Monday.

Right now, Nunavut’s Child and Family Services Act says the government must act as a parent for orphaned or homeless children until they reach the age of 16. But they are not eligible for welfare or social housing until they reach the age of 18.

In response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of a 17-year-old young offender, Justice Beverly Browne found the GN acted like a negligent parent. Then she said if the GN does not change the law, she will write the amendment into legislation within one year.

Aglukkaq says she will not offer any more public comment on the issue, claiming that she can’t because it’s a matter that’s still before the courts.