HALIFAX — An independent monitor says Nova Scotia is making progress on its five-year plan to move people with disabilities out of institutions and off wait-lists for community housing.

However, Michael Prince also notes in his second annual report that the government is “heading in the wrong direction” on other parts of a legally binding human rights decision.

The professor of social policy at the University of Victoria was appointed in 2023 to provide annual reports on whether the province is achieving the reforms required by a human rights board of inquiry.

In his latest report, Prince concludes the province has made “significant” progress to meet a 2028 deadline on 24 of the 90 legally required steps.

The report says the number of people living in institutions dropped by 189 — about three-quarters of the original plan’s goal for this year.

The province’s five-year plan is the result of a 2021 Appeal Court decision that identified systemic discrimination against people with disabilities seeking housing and supports in the community.

But the number of people with disabilities who are under 65 still living in nursing homes rose, and there was a sharp increase in people placed in emergency, temporary housing arrangements.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025.

The Canadian Press