"The comprehensive nature of the response is encouraging.” - Joan Jessome, NSGEU president.
Halifax (18 May 2011) - The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees (NSGEU/NUPGE) welcomes the Dexter government’s response to the final report and recommendations of the Hyde Inquiry conducted by Judge Anne Derrick.
The NSGEU/NUPGE was granted standing as an interested party and participated fully in the Inquiry’s proceedings. It was seeking to represent those of its members in the health care and justice systems that came in contact with Mr. Hyde, and to support public policy initiatives to improve the circumstances of people living with mental illness.
Mr. Hyde suffered from a mental illness and had been arrested for assaulting his partner. He died on November 22, 2007, while struggling with correctional employees at the Central Nova Correctional Facility approximately 30 hours after he had fought with and been tasered by Halifax Regional Police Officers. A number of NSGEU members, in various capacities, encountered Mr. Hyde during the course of their work and were called as witnesses at the hearing.
According to NSGEU President Joan Jessome, “We are pleased that the Departments of Justice and Health have accepted the conclusions of Judge Derrick in her report, and are committed to implementing many of her recommendations. The comprehensive nature of the response is encouraging.”
“The five priorities the province has drawn from the report: mental health services and supports, collaboration among responsible agencies, training, use of force protocols and supports within the criminal justice system, appear to capture the main themes of the Inquiry recommendations. These are important first steps.”
Ms. Jessome concluded, “The real test of the government’s commitment will come after the proposed provincial mental health and addictions strategy is released in the fall. What will be critical then is how the government chooses to implement the strategy, and what resources will be made available for its implementation.”
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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