Joanne Bernard says she has full confidence in Quest facility

Nova Scotia's minister of community services, Joanne Bernard, says she has "full confidence" in the Quest facility in Lower Sackville after aresident was arrested this week.

The 38-year-old manfaces charges in connection with an assault on four staff members. No one was injured.

The man was arrested at the facility for people with developmental disabilities on Tuesday.

"I've toured it. I've met with the people there," Bernard said. "I have full confidence in the work that they're doing. I have full confidence in the training of the staff, and we'll let the investigation unfold."

The man was returned to his room at the 16-bed Community Transition Program, a facility managed by the Capital District Health Authority and the Quest Society in Halifax.

He will remain at the facility where nine other residents are currently housed until his court date on Sept. 24.

The Capital District Health Authority oversees the program's nurses and other clinical staff while the Quest Regional Rehabilitation Centre, based one floor below, shares staff who provide day-to-day programs and care for residents.

The Quest facility on the first floor has had two incidents that have prompted an internal review.

In May, a 56-year resident died after falling during a scuffle with a 28-year-old resident.

No charges were laid in that case after the RCMP concluded the death was partly due to the man's pre-existing medical conditions.

Nichele Benn, a former Quest resident who has moved upstairs to the transition program, has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge for allegedly biting and striking a staff member at Quest.

Benn's lawyer has argued outside court that her client has a brain disorder and her case doesn't belong in the legal system.

Bernard says she's looking forward to a review of the latest incident by the facility.