Dal Legal Aid raises concerns about access to eviction data following info request
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service has raised concerns over the accessibility of information provided by the provincial government, particularly in comparison to the access granted to Rental Housing Providers Nova Scotia, a group representing landlords in Nova Scotia. Recent freedom of information requests revealed that the landlords’ group has been receiving data related to eviction disputes between tenants and landlords for years, while Dal Legal Aid has faced hurdles in obtaining the same information.
Sydnee Blum, a community legal worker at Dal Legal Aid, expressed frustration at the lack of transparency in accessing this data, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts to obtain the information through the freedom of information system, Blum emphasized that it should not have been a requirement. Following the organization’s public disclosure of the discrepancies, Service Nova Scotia eventually provided the same information to Dal Legal Aid that was previously shared with the landlords’ group.
Melissa Mosher, the director of residential tenancies for the province, clarified that there was no intentional withholding of information or bias towards either organization. Mosher explained that statistics on evictions are routinely produced and made available to stakeholders. While Rental Housing Providers Nova Scotia had been requesting this information regularly, Dal Legal Aid had not made similar requests directly. Mosher attributed the challenges in data accessibility to an outdated information system within the department.
Despite efforts to facilitate communication and information sharing, Dal Legal Aid has encountered difficulties in accessing decision-makers within the government. Blum expressed concerns about the government’s prioritization of landlords’ interests over those of tenants, highlighting the unequal access to senior leadership and decision-making processes. While meetings with residential tenancies administrators have been possible, securing meetings with cabinet ministers and other key officials has proven challenging for Dal Legal Aid.
In an effort to address these concerns and improve transparency, discussions between Dal Legal Aid and Service Nova Scotia are scheduled to take place. Both parties aim to establish clearer guidelines on information accessibility and foster open communication between tenant and landlord advocacy groups. Ultimately, Dal Legal Aid seeks equal representation and consideration for tenant rights in government decision-making processes.
