Camp Connections submitted an incomplete funding application, Premier RJ Simpson said in the Legislative Assembly this week, conflicting with previous statements made by the Foster Family Coalition.
In a newsletter announcing the cancellation of the long-running summer camp, the Foster Family Coalition stated “changes to territorial funding models” were among reasons the camp was unable to run this year.
Questioned on this in the legislature on Tuesday, Simpson said the eligibility requirements for the NWT government’s Anti-Poverty Fund – to which the coalition applied – had not changed. He said the coalition’s application had been incomplete.
“We went back, asked for more information, and by the time we received that information, the period had closed and decisions had already been made,” Simpson said.
Cabin Radio contacted the Foster Family Coalition for comment but did not hear back by the time of publication.
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The Anti-Poverty Fund is an initiative described by the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs as supporting projects that provide services and support for communities, demonstrate potential to improve social outcomes for residents, or enhance an existing program “at the community level.”
In a statement to Cabin Radio, the department said the fund has an established timeline and criteria. It confirmed its staff had requested more information from the Foster Family Coalition but “ultimately, the Camp Connections application was not approved for funding in 2026-2027.”
In a separate statement, the Department of Health and Social Services said funding provided to the Foster Family Coalition through its own contract with the organization had not changed.
However, Simpson said it was possible that the camp could still go ahead if alternative measures are put in place.
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“Since the news articles have come out, we’ve become aware of the situation from their perspective, and the HSS has reached out,” he said, using an initialism for the department and referring to reports about the camp’s cancellation.
In its statement, the Department of Health and Social Services said it would work with the Foster Family Coalition to better understand what options may be available.
Camp Connections is an annual camp operating since 2003 that hosts hundreds of kids at a campsite along the Ingraham Trail, north of Yellowknife.
The camp – geared toward youth in social services, including foster care, adoption or other involvement with the child welfare system – provides young people with outdoor programming and opportunities for “connection, healing, and personal growth.”
Foster parents have described it as a vital resource.
