NSNDP

March 6th, 2019

Leblanc: Liberal government must accept small option homes decision

Halifax-- NDP Community Services spokesperson Susan Leblanc made the following statement in response to the Human Rights Board of Inquiry decision released this week:

“This decision is a hard-won victory for Beth MacLean, Sheila Livingstone, and Joey Delaney. The independent board of inquiry found that the government violated the human rights of these three individuals. The McNeil government must accept this ruling and not appeal or challenge this decision.

It is disappointing that the decision does not recognize the discrimination these individuals faced as a systemic issue. There are hundreds of people with disabilities still waiting for community housing. Instead of forcing each and every individual to go through the process of filing human rights complaints as their only recourse, the Liberal government should aim to rectify this situation for all affected.

The Liberal government should accept its responsibilities under the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and fast track the recommendations of the Roadmap for Transforming the Nova Scotia Services to Persons with Disabilities Program. This must be a priority in this Spring’s budget.”

The Roadmap for Transforming the Nova Scotia Services to Persons with Disabilities Program was released in 2013. The report included a five-year plan that would have seen all recommendations in place by 2018.

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