HALIFAX — 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.
In a new release, the Disability Rights Coalition says Tim Houston's office needs to improve co-operation among key departments that support people moving from large facilities into community.
The monitor'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.
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 University of Victoria professor Michael Prince.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025.
The Canadian Press
