Inclusion NWT Faces Possible Closure Over Funding Crisis

Inclusion NWT Faces Possible Closure Over Funding Crisis

Inclusion NWT has warned that it could be forced to shut down if the Northwest Territories government does not increase its financial support to match rising operating costs.

The nonprofit organization, which has provided services to people with disabilities and their families since 1962, told members of the Standing Committee on Social Development that its core government funding has remained largely unchanged since 2018 despite inflation and growing demand for its programs.

Addressing the committee, Inclusion NWT president Ben Russo said the organization has reached a point where it can no longer continue operating under the current funding model.

He explained that annual contracts and contribution agreements have failed to reflect increases in the cost of living, leaving the organization under increasing financial pressure.

Executive director Lynn Foley said Inclusion NWT had appealed to territorial ministers earlier this year for additional funding and had held discussions with government officials, but the organization has yet to receive the level of support it believes is needed.

One of the biggest concerns is the supported living program, which provides round-the-clock assistance to people with disabilities who want to live independently.

Former president Catherine Fairbairn said the program has been operating at a loss, forcing the organization to rely on donations and other resources to keep it running.

An independent operational review found that funding for the supported living program has remained at about $1.93 million since the 2018–19 fiscal year. The review estimated that if the funding had kept pace with inflation, it would now be about $2.4 million.

The organization also said long waiting lists are growing because limited funding has made it impossible to meet increasing demand. Several families are currently waiting to access respite care, supported living and employment programs.

Lawmakers who attended the hearing acknowledged the importance of Inclusion NWT’s services, with some arguing that disability support should be treated as an essential public service rather than an optional program.

Inclusion NWT said that, with adequate funding and staffing, it would be able to expand support for more people across the Northwest Territories instead of struggling to maintain its existing services.