N.S. premier must keep focus on remedy plan for people with disabilities: advocates

An advocacy group says Nova Scotia's premier should make a five-year plan to overhaul housing and care of people with disabilities a major policy priority.

On Friday, an independent monitor said the province had notable delays in delivering new programs and services, two years into the legally mandated program to move people with disabilities out of institutions and off wait-lists.

The report by Michael Prince, a University of Victoria professor of social policy, noted Nova Scotia was making progress with its plan, while also calling for "sustained attention by the government executive" to make sure it stays on track.

In a news release, the Disability Rights Coalition said on Tuesday that Tim Houston's office needs to improve co-operation among key departments that support people moving from large facilities into the community.

Prince's report says this co-operation is crucial in setting up mental health support programs and rapid response teams to cope with issues that may arise during the transitions under the program.

Vicky Levack, a spokeswoman for the coalition, said in a statement that her group is urging the premier "to engage with those recommendations ... which call upon him to give direction and a sense of urgency to those departments which appear to have failed to give the proper priority to their obligations" under the program.

In 2021, the coalition won an Appeal Court decision that identified systemic discrimination against people with disabilities seeking housing and supports in the community.

A human rights board of inquiry subsequently created a list of reforms required to address the province's shortcomings, with annual reports on progress by Prince.

Shortcomings remain

Prince's latest 55-page report said the government is "gaining traction" on overhauling the system.

For example, the number of people living in institutions dropped by 189 — about three-quarters of the original plan's goal for this year. When the process started there were about 400 people still in the larger facilities.

In addition, the number of people on a wait-list to receive some form of service from the disability supports program has fallen by 293, exceeding the target for this year. In 2022, the list had about 1,800 people on it.

Prince also noted that key leadership positions are being filled and staff training is advancing.

However, there were other shortcomings flagged in the report, including a 12 per cent increase in young adults — about 52 people — being placed in long-term care facilities. Prince's report described this as "unnecessary institutionalization."

Prince also noted that policy manuals used by the disability support program staff need to be revised to make clear the province is "legally obliged to provide social assistance to eligible persons in need."

"All legal rights obligations of applicants and participants and public officials should appear explicitly in public documents," he added.

'We all care,' premier says

During a news conference on Tuesday, Houston said his office is already "taking a role" in ensuring the provincial plan stays on track.

"I think the province is making progress. There's work to be done for sure, but it's a government effort," he said.

"We have a great team on that. [A] fantastic minister and the people in the department are dedicated. They care. We all care. We all want progress, including the premier."