GOVERNMENT WILL NOT CONTINUE CONTRACT FOR SERVICES WITH OYATE

Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer announced today that the Ministry of Social Services will not be entering into a 2008-09 Contract for Services with Oyate ataya WaKanyeja Owicakiyapi (Oyate).

Oyate is a five-bed residential facility that was designed to assist females aged 12 to 18 who were victims of sexual exploitation or at-risk to be such victims. The facility was closed in April 2006.

"Our government's priority is to ensure that at-risk or sexually-exploited young people have programs and services available to them that are appropriate to their age, development and background," Harpauer said. "Oyate cannot effectively deliver such programs and services to the children in care."

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For more information, contact:

Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916