The country’s highest court has rejected an appeal, from our province’s government, on a lower court decision which found disabled people were discriminated against while trying to get improved services and housing in the community.
In a ruling last October, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal said the province violated those people’s basic rights by failing to offer meaningful access to housing care.
Supreme Court of Canada affirmed that decision by rejecting the province’s appeal Thursday.
Early in his tenure Premier Tim Houston said his government would not appeal the decision, though soon reversed course on the advice of provincial legal counsel.
NDP Leader Gary Burrill says it’s a big victory, and a landmark case.
“The case ruled that there is systemic discrimination against people with disabilities in Nova Scotia,” he says. “It requires the province of Nova Scotia to act urgently to provide accessible housing and community-living options for people with disabilities.”
Burrill says it’s time for government to sit down with the Disability Rights Coalition, the group who originally launched the suit, and negotiate a way forward.
