An advocacy group questions whether N.L. will keep promise to create a disability advocate
The position's creation was part of mandate letters to two different ministers
An advocacy group is calling for the Newfoundland and Labrador government to create a disability advocate office — something the community has been demanding for years.
Nancy Reid, executive director of the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, says the position could be similar in its form and function to the provincial seniors' advocate, who reacts to systemic issues like the recent auditor general report on the personal care home system, and releases regular reports on needed government action.
"We have seen for a number of years that so many things just get pushed under the radar or get missed," said Reid.
"We really believe that a disability advocate would really answer some of those needs at the community level."
According to Reid, the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities has informed the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development on the position's need since at least 2015.
Why that hasn't happened over the past decade, she says, is not clear.
"So often, we ask questions and we get a standard response that says, 'It's something we're considering' or, 'We're not yet ready to make that decision,'" said Reid.
In September 2020, Premier Andrew Furey issued a mandate letter to then-Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities Brian Warr and told him to "work toward" the creation of the position.
That same mandate was renewed with Warr's successor John Abbott just seven months later, in April 2021. Even though Minister Paul Pike took over the file in June 2023, a letter directing Pike to work toward creating the position was not issued.
"All of these individuals have held this file but no action has been taken," said Reid.
She's not the only one wondering where the creation of the position stands.
The Progressive Conservative critic for persons with disabilities, Helen Conway Ottenheimer, questioned Pike on the status of the office in the House of Assembly on April 16.
"Yes or no? Will the Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development establish an advocate for persons with disabilities before the House closes this spring?" she asked.
Yet, instead of providing a clear timeline, Pike pointed to the 2023 Review of Statutory Offices of the House of Assembly, which examined six offices and recommended expanding that of the seniors' advocate to include persons with disabilities, which says it "would not make sense to distinguish those who are unable to advocate for themselves due to age from those who are unable due to disability."
The review further says the office should be renamed to "Office of the Seniors and Complex Needs Advocate."
While Pike wasn't available for an interview, Pike did respond to Conway Ottenheimer in the House of Assembly, saying he's looking at the 2023 review and its recommendations.
"We certainly are taking all matters into consideration around this," said Pike. "And prior to any decisions being made with respect to any of these positions, we certainly will converse with all stakeholders."
All of Conway Ottenheimer's follow-up questions were answered not by Pike, but by Labrador Affairs Minister Lisa Dempster, who had held his portfolio from 2017 to 2020.
"We've just had a chance to get the report and take a look at it," said Dempster. "We're certainly reviewing the report and we will take some time to determine the best steps forward from here."
Meanwhile, Reid is not in favour of a combined 'seniors and complex needs advocate' — because persons with disabilities make up almost one third of the province's population but also because of the terminology.
"We are not complex needs. We face complex barriers in the community often, but as an individual, we are persons with disabilities," said Reid.
"To be lumped in under a very busy and active seniors' advocate, we believe is a disservice to persons with disabilities."
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