PEI Disability Supports Class Action

Overview

Valent Legal is representing a class of residents of PEI disabled by reason of mental illness over the Government of PEI’s decision to exclude them from possibly accessing any benefits or supports under the province’s Disability Supports Program.

On March 16, 2016, PEI’s Human Rights Commission ruled that the Government’s program discriminated against those with mental illness. This ruling was upheld by the PEI Court of Appeal in a February 21, 2018 decision.

A class action was filed on July 15, 2016, wherein the plaintiffs allege that the PEI government’s denial of any disability supports to those with mental disabilities is a breach of the equality rights guaranteed to all Canadians under section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.