Nova Scotia’s five addiction recovery centres are now part of the Department of Health and Wellness after the provincial government stripped the Department of Community Services of the responsibility.

The shift comes amid an evaluation of a Cape Breton centre which closed in March.

“It’s a vote of non-confidence on how they handled this situation,” said Contrarian Blogger, Parker Donham. “It’s not a happy day for (Community Services Minister) Denise Peterson-Rafuse. The fact of the matter is, they’ve taken it away from her.”

Community Services launched an investigation into Talbot House after receiving a letter from a former resident. There were questions regarding the behaviour of the executive director, who was later exonerated by police.

Talbot House experienced staffing shortages and a lack of senior management during the investigation before being closed.

The Community Services review concluded Talbot House hadn’t been operating in compliance with the standards set for recovery houses in 2008.

There was a bid this year to keep the house open under new management, but in July Minister Peterson-Rafuse said the board of directors had missed its two-week deadline.

“This organization is very big on auditing and reviewing and doing organizational reviews and process bullying of the organizations it funds,” said Donham. “How about turning the tables and see if what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander?”

Donham said there needs to be a top-to-bottom review.