Canada's Auditor General found Northwest Territories child-protection authorities missed required monthly contact with children in 91 percent of cases examined, repeating gaps flagged in 2014 and 2018

The Office of the Auditor General of Canada tabled an audit of child and family services in the Northwest Territories on May 28, 2026. It found about a third of reports of suspected abuse or neglect were not assessed within 24 hours, 71 percent of reports needing investigation were not completed within 30 days, monthly contact with children was missed in 91 percent of cases examined, and criminal record checks were not completed or updated for all caregivers in 12 percent of cases examined.