Cape Breton's only home for recovering addicts may re-open.
Nova Scotia is putting a hold on its plan to replace Talbot House, which gives the long-term treatment centre in Sydney, N.S. time to draw up a new operating plan.
When Talbot House closed more than three months ago, its ten remaining residents either transferred to other treatment facilities, or moved back into the community.
"There is a need in Cape Breton for this type of service," says Community Services Minster Denise Peterson-Rafuse. "So we are trying to move it along as quickly as possible."
Today, Peterson-Rafuse met with the Talbot House board for the first time since the centre was shut down in March. She agreed to postpone the tender for a new centre, which gives Talbot House time to try to restore funding and end a war of words with the department.
"I am being open-minded to give both sides an opportunity to rebuild a relationship and trust," says Peterson-Rafuse.
If Talbot House re-opens, its board admits there will have to be changes. Nova Scotia's Department of Community Services was highly critical of how the home was being run before it shut down.
"There is a new sentiment here," says Talbot House chair Dr. John Gainer. "This relationship between the board and the Department of Community Services has been extraordinarily strained."
Gainer says every effort will be made to restore over $4,000 in annual funding.
"Once funding is re-established and we sort out operational and staffing issues, we would then open up Talbot House for admissions," says Gainer.
Something the board won't talk about is whether Father Paul Abbass, who will resume parish work in the area, might also return as the home's executive director.
Abbass took a leave of absence in February when police were asked to investigate complaints by a former resident. However, police said there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing and no charges were laid.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Randy MacDonald
