There’s a change in tune from the Nova Scotia government when it comes to the care of a young woman left with a severe brain injury as the result of a car crash.

The province is trying to recover the insurance settlement awarded to the girl.

But now, the minister responsible says the government is committed to working with the family.

“I’m sorry that this has taken eight years,” says Nova Scotia’s Community Services Minister, Joanne Bernard. “But we’re addressing this today here, and now.”

Bernard is referring to the case involving Joellan Huntley.                 

“I’ve directed staff to look at the policies and procedures,” adds Bernard. “And to review what led us here to this day.”

Huntley was left with a severe brain injury after a car crash in the Annapolis Valley in 1996.

She received a nearly one million dollar insurance settlement, which the province is now trying to recover, by taking the family to court.

That is because Huntley lives in a provincial rehab centre, and the province pays for her daily care.

Her family does not dispute it should be contributing, but uses the money it gets each month to pay for extra therapy, not offered by the facility.

Huntley’s family says they are worried about what will happen if the province is allowed to take all the money.

“The family is putting it to extremely good use,” says Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative MLA, John Lohr. “I just think they should not be doing this, its heartless on their part, and I think they need to back off.”

Lohr is also the family’s MLA.

He has been calling on government to drop the case and settle out of court.

The president of the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia says the law does not require government to pursue these funds, rather, it allows them to, and there’s a difference.

“I think it is very important that people understand right now, a lot of these sorts of treatment that are genuinely necessary for their long term health and well-being are not being provided,” explains Ryan Blood, president of the Brain Injury Association of N.S.

There has been a great deal of criticism toward the province since last week’s court hearing.

Not the kind of attention any provincial government wants to receive.

“I’m not going to be dishonest and say it had absolutely no impact on me whatsoever,” says Minister Joanna Bernard.

Still, she says they will await the judge’s decision in the New Year because it’s a question of entitlement and they want the clarification on that.

“Regardless of what that court decision is that day,” explains Bernard. “We as a government are committed to working with the family, so that Joellan’s needs are met.”

Bernard says she cannot say what the government might do, but the conversation is now open.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jacqueline Foster.