Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Nova Scotia Man Fighting Law Has Parents Removed As Guardians, Province Says Act Invalid

The Canadian Press, 28 Jun, 2016 11:37 AM
    HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia man who is challenging the province's Incompetent Persons Act has won a major victory, as the province declared the law invalid.
     
    Landon Webb had been fighting to overcome limits on his rights as a person with intellectual disabilities and to have his "mentally incompetent" status overturned.
     
    At a hearing in Nova Scotia Supreme Court Tuesday, lawyers for the province said sections of the act are unconstitutional and that it would be suspended for a year while new legislation is drafted.
     
    Webb was also declared mentally competent, though he will require some monitoring.
     
    Lawyers for Webb's parents then told the court they were giving up guardianship of their son.
     
    "He has improved to the extent that a guardian is no longer required," Jeanne Desveaux said outside the court. "The whole purpose of Mr. Landon being transitioned to the facility ... (was) so that he could successfully live in the community."
     
    Webb's lawyers are seeking $25,000 in compensation from the province, arguing his treatment under the Act violated his charter rights.
     
    Webb's case attracted attention last October after he left a rehabilitation centre for several weeks, was found safe in Edmonton and returned to Nova Scotia, where he appeared in local media saying he is not incompetent.
     
    His parents said their son functioned at the level of a 10 or 12-year-old, but Webb disagreed and filed the court challenge hoping to be free to live a normal life.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Viral Video Of Failed Parking Attempt Leads To Charges For Vancouver Teen

    Viral Video Of Failed Parking Attempt Leads To Charges For Vancouver Teen
    VANCOUVER — An online video showing the end of a teen's joy ride may be funny to viewers, but it wasn't a laughing matter for his mother or police in Vancouver.

    Viral Video Of Failed Parking Attempt Leads To Charges For Vancouver Teen

    Concerns Raised Over Using Woman In Head Scarf For Syrian Refugee Program Ad

    Concerns Raised Over Using Woman In Head Scarf For Syrian Refugee Program Ad
    The photo was one of five put before eight focus groups run last November and December by the civil servants supporting the Prime Minister's Office.

    Concerns Raised Over Using Woman In Head Scarf For Syrian Refugee Program Ad

    Three Year Investigation Leads To Charges In Brazen Robbery In Fort St. John

    Three Year Investigation Leads To Charges In Brazen Robbery In Fort St. John
    Fort St. John RCMP credit tips from the public and dogged work by officers for the three arrests.

    Three Year Investigation Leads To Charges In Brazen Robbery In Fort St. John

    Ontario Allows Grocers That Sell Beer To Add Craft Cider To Store Shelves

    Ontario Allows Grocers That Sell Beer To Add Craft Cider To Store Shelves
    Premier Kathleen Wynne says craft producers have turned locally made cider into one of Ontario's emerging success stories.

    Ontario Allows Grocers That Sell Beer To Add Craft Cider To Store Shelves

    Late Veteran's Love Letters Give Daughter Window Into Father She Never Knew

    Late Veteran's Love Letters Give Daughter Window Into Father She Never Knew
    VERNON, B.C. — As Cathy Gaetz-Brothen opened the box to show her book club the hundreds of love letters her father had written her mother during the war, she recalls several people recoiling.

    Late Veteran's Love Letters Give Daughter Window Into Father She Never Knew

    Militants Rejoiced As Two Canadians Were Beheaded: Freed Hostage

    Militants Rejoiced As Two Canadians Were Beheaded: Freed Hostage
    MANILA, Philippines — Abu Sayyaf extremists rejoiced as they watched two Canadians being beheaded in the jungles of the southern Philippines, said a still-shocked Filipino hostage who was freed Friday.

    Militants Rejoiced As Two Canadians Were Beheaded: Freed Hostage