Questions remain about the review of Nova Scotia’s mental health system after a patient was charged with murder.
Three months have passed since gay rights activist Raymond Taavel, 49, was beaten to death outside a Halifax bar. The government promised a review into the matter in 30 days. However, 90 days have passed with no review in sight.
Andre Noel Denny, 32, a patient at the East Coast Forensic Hospital, has been charged with second-degree murder in Taavel’s death, but we still don’t know how or why Denny was released from the facility that night.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing a report and seeing what steps the government might take,” says Tynette Deveaux, a friend of the victim.
The day after Taavel was killed, Nova Scotia’s justice minister promised a review within 30 days. When the 30 days had passed, the government provided an update saying it had hired independent forensic mental health experts, but there are still no answers as to whether procedures were followed.
“There’s a number of things,” says Nova Scotia Deputy Health Minister Kevin McNamara. “One is the physicians is out of province and they have busy practices, but also we have to do our due diligence. If you do it very quickly and get a fast report you get a poor report.”
“We need answers that this won’t happen again, that public safety is key,” says Eddie Orrell of the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party.
Taavel lived in Halifax at the time of his death but was originally from Ontario. Several members of his family have been in Halifax this week and friends say they are doing as well as can be expected. They are eager to see the province’s report, but are also calling for further change.
Taavel’s sister has started a petition asking people to reach out to government representatives to examine mental health and criminal justice systems.
“She’s hoping that this petition will go nationwide,” says Deveaux.
Jay Wells was also a friend of Taavel’s and his death prompted the local business owner to start what he calls a “gaybourhood watch program.”
“Just two weeks after Raymond was killed…another one of our clients were beat up quite badly, just in the neighbourhood,” says Wells. “It’s all in the block where I live and you know, I’d like to feel safe at night, walking in the streets, and I don’t understand why it keeps happening over and over.”
The program gets started in August but there is no word on when the province’s report will be released.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell
