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N.S. ‘remedy’ to move people with disabilities out of institutions slow, says monitor

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HALIFAX – An independent monitor says Nova Scotia’s progress on moving people with disabilities out of institutions is “slower and more uneven” than called for in a landmark human rights decision.

Michael Prince, a professor of social policy at the University of Victoria, was appointed last year to provide annual reports on whether the province is meeting 90 requirements set out in the five-year reform plan approved by a human rights board of inquiry last year.

In his report released late Wednesday, Prince concluded that during the plan’s first year the province made only “slight progress” — defined as “minimal” and “marginal in result” — on almost half of the legally required steps to improve housing and support of people with disabilities.

The 52-page report — titled “Getting on Track” — highlights delays in hiring staff to plan the closure of institutions and a failure to end admissions to institutions in the first year, which ended April 1.

The plan — referred to by the Disability Rights Coalition and the province as “the remedy” — is the result of a 2021 Appeal Court decision that found systemic discrimination against people with disabilities seeking housing in the community.

The creation of the human rights remedy capped a marathon legal battle originally launched in 2014 by three people with disabilities who were kept in a Halifax psychiatric hospital for years, despite medical opinions that they could live in the community with appropriate supports.

Sarah Levy MacLeod, a spokeswoman for the Department of Community Services, said in an email that the province is continuing to make progress on the remedy and remains committed to it.

“We know there is more to do and will continue our work the next four years to achieve this in a way that best supports the people we serve through these changes,” she wrote.

Levy MacLeod added that the province launched a website this week where people can track the progress of the Nova Scotia human rights remedy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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End of Manitoba legislature session includes replacement-worker ban, machete rules

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WINNIPEG – Manitoba politicians are expected to pass several bills into law before the likely end of legislature session this evening.

The NDP government, with a solid majority of seats, is getting its omnibus budget bill through.

It enacts tax changes outlined in the spring budget, but also includes unrelated items, such as a ban on replacement workers during labour disputes.

The bill would also make it easier for workers to unionize, and would boost rebates for political campaign expenses.

Another bill expected to pass this evening would place new restrictions on the sale of machetes, in an attempt to crack down on crime.

Among the bills that are not expected to pass this session is one making it harder for landlords to raise rents above the inflation rate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Father charged with second-degree murder in infant’s death: police

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A Richmond Hill, Ont., man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his seven-week-old infant earlier this year.

York Regional Police say they were contacted by the York Children’s Aid Society about a child who had been taken to a hospital in Toronto on Jan. 15.

They say the baby had “significant injuries” that could not be explained by the parents.

The infant died three days later.

Police say the baby’s father, 30, was charged with second-degree murder on Oct. 23.

Anyone with more information on the case is urged to contact investigators.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Ontario fast-tracking several bills with little or no debate

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TORONTO – Ontario is pushing through several bills with little or no debate, which the government house leader says is due to a short legislative sitting.

The government has significantly reduced debate and committee time on the proposed law that would force municipalities to seek permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a car lane.

It also passed the fall economic statement that contains legislation to send out $200 cheques to taxpayers with reduced debating time.

The province tabled a bill Wednesday afternoon that would extend the per-vote subsidy program, which funnels money to political parties, until 2027.

That bill passed third reading Thursday morning with no debate and is awaiting royal assent.

Government House Leader Steve Clark did not answer a question about whether the province is speeding up passage of the bills in order to have an election in the spring, which Premier Doug Ford has not ruled out.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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