MEDIA ADVISORY
for Immediate Release
Edmonton, AB
Albertans are deeply concerned about recent funding cuts and policy decisions that affect people with disabilities. The lack of transparency and public consultation have created unprecedented fear and uncertainty. A guiding principle of the disability rights movement – Nothing About Us Without Us – is more than lip service, it reflects the core belief that individuals with disabilities must be actively involved in policy-making and service delivery.
The Standing Committee on Families and Community will meet on Tuesday March 18, 2025, for Main Estimates meeting for the Ministry of Senior, Community and Social Services, from 9 am to 12 pm. Members of the disability community will attend in person and watch online.
We have identified four issues that Albertans would like addressed:
1. Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP)
The disability community has many questions about the newly created Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and strongly feels that it is not right to move forward and approve future funding without public input into the regulations.
2. Honour the contracts of self-advocacy groups: Call to restore funding
Three Self-advocacy groups whose funding totalled $424,000 were given 90 days' notice that the Government would end their funding one year early. Over 800 Albertans sent letters to their MLA, Minister Nixon, and the Premier urging Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS) to honour their contracts to provide them more time to find alternate funding. These
groups have provided direct services for more than 20 years and are a vital support for hundreds of individuals and families.
3. Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
Alberta has indicated that it will treat the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) as non-exempt income, which means it will deduct the $200/month federal benefit from AISH payments. The CDB is intended as a top up to provide additional income for people with disabilities living in poverty. Unfortunately, Albertans on AISH will not see an increase in their monthly support. Across Canada, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nunavut and Quebec have confirmed that they will not claw back the CDB from social support programs.
4. Managing Growth of PDD and FSCD
The Growth of Persons with Developmental Disability Services (PDD) is 5.94%, and Family Services for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) is 3.61%, yet no money is allocated to address the wait lists.
Who: Concerned Albertans
What: Budget Main Estimates for Seniors and Community Social Services (Families and Communities Committee)
When: Tuesday, March 18th, 9 am to 12 pm and 3:30 pm to 6:30
Where: Queen Elizabeth II Building at the Alberta Legislature, Rocky Mountain Room 2nd floor
Why: Albertans are concerned about recent funding cuts and policy decisions that affect people with disabilities.
Contacts:
Michelle Kristinson, Alberta Ability Network
403.815.1142
Keri McEachern, Self-Advocacy Federation
780.907.2575
Colleen Huston, Disability Action Hall
403.473.3510
Jan Nass
587.679.7674
An update on honouring our contracts, light the way for self-advocacy
Update: A message from the SAIPA, Self Advocacy Federation and Disability Action Hall, March 11th, 2025
We are still here. But for how long?
Over 800 Albertans have sent letters to their MLA and Premier of Alberta and Minister of Seniors and Community Social Services via a letter-writing website to ask the Alberta government to honour the contracts to provide the self-advocacy groups more time to find alternate funding. We have also been told that many people have sent letters directly outside of the site.
While the Minister has claimed that this funding is being diverted to direct services, the community is well aware that our work also provides direct services to Albertans, as mentioned in the editorial letter by previous CEO of Edmonton PDD Hart Chapelle (Disabled Albertans Deserve Better,February 26, 2025, Lethbridge Herald.
Since the defunding was first made known on January 7, the Alberta government has announced changes to AISH which has left the disability community confused, fearful, asking questions and seeking information that is simply unavailable.
Meanwhile, these self-advocacy groups, having served hundreds of individuals over the past 20 – 27 years, are likely to fold, as many foundation proposal deadlines have passed. Those with upcoming deadlines will not provide funding to successful applicants until early Fall, leaving a significant gap before supporting staff can be paid. As a result, SAIPA has announced it will close its doors until further notice. Please see the Calgary Herald article dated March 7th, 2025
Disability Action Hall has launched a fundraising plan for the upcoming year. Called “Light the Way for Self-advocacy,” its goal is to have 4500 people donate $25 or more to secure 1 year of emergency funding to replace what has been lost from prematurely cancelled contract. Those who donate through this website will get an immediate charitable tax receipt from Canada Helps.
Self-Advocacy Federation will pause its actions as of March 31, 2025, and has started a GoFundMe campaign to help them tie up some loose ends for projects they are still working on. Visit “Save the SAF” to contribute. They hope to develop a social enterprise to fund the group, but such plans take more time to develop than they have left. They have asked the Disability Advocate to advocate for their plan and are waiting to hear back from the Disability Advocate.
The groups have also met with several members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities to talk about how this has impacted the self-advocacy movement in Alberta. We have invited the Minister to come and speak with the group and await a response.
It's our MISSION to stand up for our rights and for people who can’t stand up for themselves; To work together to teach our communities about what great citizens, people with developmental disabilities can be.
It's our VISION to be a people with developmental disabilities, who are active, contributing citizens and leaders. We are proud to be disabled and we are proud of who we are.
We accomplish our mission and vision:
It's our VISION to be a people with developmental disabilities, who are active, contributing citizens and leaders. We are proud to be disabled and we are proud of who we are.
We accomplish our mission and vision:
- Through mutual support of members and other people with developmental disabilities who need help to stand up for themselves.
- By working with other community groups, disability rights groups, or human rights group to educate on disability issues, disability culture, pride and citizenship.
- Assisting in community development projects that create inclusive, welcome communities for all citizens including people with developmental disabilities.
*The Self Advocacy Federation will meet online between 6:00pm - 8:00pm every Tuesday EXCEPT the last Tuesday of each month. Every fourth Tuesday we will meet in person, starting in May. For information on our meetings and any other questions please e-mail us at [email protected] or phone Keri at (780) 907-2575*