Thursday's letters: Scrooge-like UCP should be ashamed
Most right-minded thinkers would agree that individuals receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) benefits constitute one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, worthy of assistance beyond the current meagre monthly benefits offered by that program. Except, that is, our UCP government.
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According to Jason Nixon, minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, these people are already overpaid. So back in March, when the federal government announced a new Canada Disability Benefit (which will add an additional $200 to top up provincial funding), the province quickly announced that any AISH beneficiary claiming that benefit would see their monthly AISH payment clawed back an equivalent amount.
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In other words, the province was indirectly grabbing these federal monies intended to help those most in need. As if that wasn't bad enough, the ministry is forcing AISH recipients to become its collection agency by mandating that any AISH recipient who fails to apply for this new federal benefit by Sept. 5 will still have their benefits reduced by $200.
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So in spite of the fact that they can't 'receive' the federal benefit, it will still be deducted from their provincial benefit resulting in a greater cash saving for our province. The only thing missing from this picture is an image of the minister seated behind his miserly desk on Christmas Eve, quill pen in hand, asking: 'Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?'
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Frankly, this minister and this government should be ashamed of themselves.
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Jon Rossall, Edmonton
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Don't let losers run in byelections
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Pierre Poilievre's calling for a law to block long-ballot protests. There should also be a law stopping a politician from being able to run in another constituency after they lose in their own.
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As reported by Rob Breakenridge, Premier Smith said that 'creating our own Alberta version of supply management, maybe as a pathway to a market system and maybe just because it would stick our finger in the eye of Quebec … might be (something) we want to do a little consultation on.'
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Coming on top of her demanding an apology from Jasper for stating the truth, one has to wonder how petty can she and her government get? I can well imagine her outraged response if Quebec announced the potential adoption of a new policy simply to stick a finger in the eye of Alberta. How embarrassing.
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