Momentum builds in class-action lawsuit targeting provincially-run facility for teens

A class-action lawsuit continues to grow over allegations that youths were put in solitary confinement at a provincially run facility.

According to Path Legal, the non-profit law firm backing the class action lawsuit, the litigation alleges Truro’s Wood Street Centre used “therapeutic quiet rooms” as a form of discipline for teenagers.

On the provincial government’s website, the facility is described as providing “a secure treatment program for children and youth” who are “suffering from an emotional and/or behavioural disorder and who require confinement in order to remedy or alleviate the disorder.”

As Path Legal’s Emma Halpern notes, several of the complainants of the suit say they were locked in the rooms for up to four hours.

“It’s also an odd thing where kids are told they have to do all these weird, for lack of a better word, unusual activities (like) go in the corner, put your face in the corner,” she says. “Kids are telling us (if) they refuse to do those things or don’t do those things, then they stay longer and longer in the room.”

Halpern says the claim began with three individuals who came forward with similar experiences in the fall.

While that initial lawsuit by the trio has since been discontinued, it has turned into the current class-action lawsuit, with the expansion of dozens of claimants.

“Every time we do a story, we get more calls,” says Halpern. “We even had five people call us just since last week when we did a news story.”

Halpern adds that she expects hundreds to come forward in the coming days, alleging similar experiences.

She says the next step will be to acquire certification after the lawsuit was submitted last week to the Supreme Court in Halifax.

“Down the road there could be a trial, there could be negotiations — it’s hard to know,” says Halpern. “But the most important stage for us right now is this certification stage, and that date hasn’t been set yet.”

Nova Scotia’s Department of Opportunities and Social Development said in a statement to CityNews that it would not comment on a matter before the courts.

“What I can say is that the safety and well-being of the children and youth in our care is always our priority,” Nicole MacDonald, communications advisor for the department, said. “Our work is guided by the legislation, regulations and is focused on their best interests. Staff providing Child and Family Wellbeing services are grounded in professional standards, practice values and strong dedication to children, youth and families in Nova Scotia.