The Department of Family Services announced Sept. 2 that it is increasing daily foster-care rates by 45 per cent across Nunavut. The new rates took effect retroactively on April 1, 2026. The department says the one-time payment for the period from April 1 through Aug. 31 is scheduled for Sept. 25.

The new daily rates are $84.10 in Arviat, Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet; $87 in Arctic Bay, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Chesterfield Inlet, Gjoa Haven, Sanirajak, Igloolik, Kugluktuk, Naujaat and Whale Cove; $89.90 in Kinngait, Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Sanikiluaq and Taloyoak; and $94.25 in Clyde River, Coral Harbour, Grise Fiord, Kugaaruk, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq and Resolute Bay. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

The increase changes regular support for foster families caring for children and youth. The department says daily foster-care payments help cover food, clothing, housing, school supplies and extracurricular activities. Nunavut says kinship-care providers are considered foster parents, so the change is relevant to extended-family caregivers as well as pre-approved foster homes. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗ ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

For a child placed continuously from April 1 to Aug. 31, the announced rate differences work out to roughly $3,993 to $4,475 in retroactive pay, depending on the community. That is a calculation from the government’s listed daily rates; the department has not set out individual payment amounts or explained how changes in a child’s placement during that period will be handled.

Foster parents should expect the retroactive payment on Sept. 25, according to the department. People with questions about the rate increase, foster care or becoming a foster parent can contact their local Family Services office. The announcement does not describe an application process for current foster parents, individual eligibility reviews or any further increase schedule. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

This is an announced and effective rate increase, not a proposal. The payment date is still in the future as of Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. The department’s announcement is the direct primary record; its linked downloadable notice repeats the same rate table but could not be independently retrieved in the research tool because it is a Word document.