Former MP leaves NDP over handling of Home for Colored Children case

CTV Atlantic: Dexter gov’t under fire over NSHCC NDP member and his wife withdraw membership from the party over its response to the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children scandal.

The Nova Scotia government is taking heat over its handling of abuse allegations at the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children.

Gordon Earle and his wife Jane, longtime supporters of the NDP party, have withdrawn their membership from the party.

Earle, the former MP for Halifax West, says they are upset over the government’s response to abuse concerns raised by former residents of the orphanage.

The Earles have sent a letter to the government expressing their disappointment.

“These residents are seeking justice and accountability regarding abuse allegedly suffered during their stay at the home and it appears that rather than facilitate this in a mutually satisfactory manner, the government is taking every possible step to prevent the matter from achieving justice through the court system or achieving a full, credible and transparent examination through a public inquiry,” it said.

“The government’s approach to this very important issue is in sharp contrast to what we believe the NDP has stood for and does little toward helping to build a better world. Legal technicalities, financial considerations and political posturing will never in our minds outweigh the importance of compassion, transparency and justice for all.”

Earle expressed his opinion to the premier months ago that a public inquiry is warranted.

He says the government is taking too long to respond positively and directly to the former residents of the home and feels they are being re-victimized.

The provincial government announced on Thursday that an independent panel would address the abuse allegations, but some former resident slammed the idea, saying they never agreed to an independent panel.

“He’s not listening to the black community,” said former resident Tony Smith. “He’s not listening to the former residents.”

Smith said former residents will only take part in a public inquiry, but Dexter said an independent panel would serve the same purpose as a public inquiry.

Some former residents are threatening to actively campaign against the NDP in the next provincial election.