Nova Scotia Disability Rights are Human Rights
The leader of the New Democratic Party has again called on Premier Tim Houston to drop his government’s application to seek an appeal of a landmark court ruling on supportive housing for people with disabilities.
“In my view this decision is a major error in judgment,” Gary Burrill said in a release. “I am asking the premier to reconsider his decision and drop the request to appeal.”
The eight provincially-funded facilities for people with physical and intellectual disabilities in Nova Scotia are grappling with the effects of the latest wave of COVID-19, the head of a care group said Thursday.
Joyce d’Entremont, CEO for Mountains and Meadows Care Group, said the coronavirus is currently in all facilities to some degree, ranging from a few confirmed cases among staff or residents to full-blown outbreaks. (photo: Shaina Luck/CBC)
An outbreak of COVID-19 at a large facility for people with physical and intellectual disabilities in Nova Scotia wasn’t disclosed to the public, because the province says it wants to protect the privacy of residents. (photo: Natasha Pace, Global News)
Global News (CP): “The Nova Scotia government is arguing receiving timely access to appropriate housing is not a human right for people with disabilities and is asking Canada’s top court to overturn a decision that found its current practices are discriminatory.
In an argument seeking leave to appeal to the top court, two government lawyers warn that if the province’s Court of Appeal decision is allowed to stand, human rights legislation would be taking on too much power.”
Globe & Mail: Al Etmanski, who has spent decades advocating for disabled people’s rights to housing, livelihoods and autonomy, now has a major part to play in crafting the Canadian Disability Benefit. If implemented, it would make Canada the first country to guarantee disabled people an income above the poverty line.