For Immediate Release
12 January, 2023
M.H.A. for Torngat Mountains, Lela Evans, was relieved to hear that the provincial government is finally listening to housing concerns in her district. However, she asks why it took Canada’s Housing Advocate visiting her district and calling the housing conditions “abominable” before the provincial Minister of Children, Seniors, and Social Development, John Abbott, acknowledged the realities faced by people on the North Coast of Labrador.
Evans says the Minister’s comments are vague and lack clear timelines and commitments. His visit to Nain came only after the federal housing advocate, Marie-Josée Houle described the housing situation in Torngat Mountains as “a reflection of an on-going human rights failure that really does need urgent attention” and said that “in some cases, I still have nightmares… I worry very much personally about some people that we met and who invited us into their homes and the housing conditions that they’re living [in].”
“I want to thank Ms. Houle for speaking the truth about the realities faced by the people on the North Coast of Labrador. Her truth has put the spotlight on this crisis and hopefully it will force some real action. Both the Nunatsiavut Government and I have raised these housing issues many times and it is very sad that the Minister of Children, Seniors, and Social Development’s response only came after Ms. Houle’s scathing synopsis,” said Evans. “It’s becoming a trend with this government that they need to be shamed into action, and that’s not fair to people across this province.”
“What does it take to hold government accountable, to ensure they take real action towards true reconciliation and end economic and social marginalization in our province?” asked Evans. “Public shaming seems to be the answer.”
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For further information, contact Eddy St. Coeur, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), or eddystcoeur@gov.nl.ca