Nunavut government to restructure

The Government of Nunavut has laid out details of a major government restructuring next year, including the creation of a new Department of Family Services.

It will split off from the existing Department of Health and Social Services, and assume responsibility for things such as child protection, income support, the Social Advocacy office, and homelessness.

This move has proven controversial. In November last year, Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley resigned as Health Minister, citing the potential split of Health and Social Services as his motive.

In a release, the Nunavut Government says the move to split Health and Social Services will help address some of the serious issues raised by the Auditor General last year.

The plan will also see the elimination of the Department of Human Resources. That department’s responsibilities will now fall to the Departments of Finance, and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.

The changes will go into effect next April.

In the meantime, the government has appointed a Deputy Minister of Family Services to oversee the creation of that department. Aluki Rojas takes over the role starting next month.

The government announced plans for the structural change this past winter and brought in a consultant to look at the possibilities.

Human Resources minister Monica Ell said the restructuring won't see any jobs cut, or moved to other communities.

She said government programs and services won't be affected during the transition.