The federal government has arranged for a new Income Assistance service provider in Watson Lake to take care of handing out social assistance cheques.
Last month, the Liard First Nation announced that it was giving responsibility for the program back to the federal government because of inadequate administrative funding.
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada announced on Thursday that it will have staff in Watson Lake on an emergency basis to make sure that qualified First Nation clients get the money they need.
The staff will be set up at the Morgan Chaddock Recreation Centre mezzanine level starting this Saturday, and they will continue working there until more suitable arrangements can be made. Services will include meeting with clients, determining eligibility, and issuing assistance cheques. For more information, prospective clients are asked to call 1-800-661-0451.
(Jesse Winter)