The Coalition of Persons with Disabilities is looking for an update on the status of a promise made years ago to establish a disability advocate in Newfoundland and Labrador.

COD-NL was promised a disability advocate in 2020, but despite two separate mandate letters since then to create an office, Executive Director Nancy Reid says there’s been no movement to that end.

She says the most recent update came following a statutory review of the offices of the House of Assembly when it was suggested that ‘complex needs’ be considered within the office of the Senior’s Advocate.

That, says Reid, is not good enough. “We don’t believe that to be an appropriate place for a disability advocate…and we’ve said so to the minister responsible on many occasions.”

In the meantime, says Reid, the needs of people living with disabilities are going unanswered.

She says there are systemic problems with programs and policies set up in the province that are affecting people and must be addressed by a disability advocate.