The province is a step closer to having a phone line dedicated to victims of domestic violence, but the opposition is critical of the amount of time it is taking.

Newfoundland and Labrador went into pandemic mode in mid-March, leaving Harbour Main MHA Helen Conway Ottenheimer at a loss to understand why the line is still not in operation and why the number is not yet available.

Minister Carol Anne Haley told the legislature yesterday that the province-wide line will “go live” next week.

Ottenheimer said it should never have taken over 100 days to bring in a phone line, but Haley says there are many things to consider, including ensuring texting capability.