The government of Nunavut is appealing a court decision on help for older teenagers in the territory, Health and Social Services Minister Leona Aglukkaq said Monday.
However, Aglukkaq refused to comment any further on the November ruling by Supreme Court Justice Beverly Brown as long as the case in question is before the courts.
Brown ruled that a section of Nunavut's Child and Family Services Act was discriminatory and violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it did not ensure parentless teens aged 16 and 17 had access to food, shelter and proper care.
Under the act, they are considered too old to get full protection but too young to qualify for social assistance programs available to youth who are 18 and older.
Brown said the government had to change its legislation and gave it a year to do so.
Chris Debicki, a lawyer with Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik, a legal aid group, brought the original case before the courts on behalf of a 17-year-old client.
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