Latest news with #AISH
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Healthcare, Highway 28, and local challenges discussed at MLA townhall in Cold Lake
upgrades to the state of rural health care. 'This kind of meeting is my way of being able to connect with people,' Cyr told attendees at the start, setting the tone for a two-hour conversation. Among the key highlights was the announcement of a new Urgent Care Centre coming to Cold Lake, something Cyr called 'a huge win' that will help 'to take pressure off our emergency room' by shifting non-emergency cases elsewhere. He explained that local physicians played a vital role in identifying systemic barriers like childcare and housing, which are impacting rural doctor retention. He also pointed to the upcoming opening of the Stepping Stone Women's Shelter, saying, 'We've got some traumas in the region, and I really want to make sure women have a place to go.' Councillors and residents raised concerns over Highway 28, and Cyr acknowledged the pressure, saying, 'Bonnyville's Main Street is being done . . . We're looking at actual construction by the fall.' He added that passing lanes between Bonnyville and Smoky Lake are also moving forward. The meeting turned toward health care, where several attendees expressed frustration with long wait times, lack of walk-in options, and the centralized control of Alberta Health Services (AHS). Cyr said the province is now working to return more decision-making power to local hospitals, stating, 'When we lost the ability to make decisions here locally, that is a real impact.' Other topics A major point of discussion was Bill 22, a policy affecting Crown grazing leases. Cyr admitted it wasn't handled properly. 'We don't always get it right, and we need to do a better job of consulting.' He said the bill has since been paused after significant pushback from ranchers. Accessibility issues were also top of mind for local residents. A resident asked for better access to dental care for adults with disabilities. Cyr acknowledged the concerns, saying, 'The billings aren't high enough for those AISH recipients . . . which is very problematic.' Former pharmacist and current City councillor Bob Mattice raised concerns about COVID-19 vaccines no longer being available at local pharmacies, which Cyr said he would take back to the legislature. 'Anything that takes pressure off of our front lines is a win for Albertans.' Questions were also asked about the province's decentralization plan, which could move government services out of Edmonton. Cyr tempered expectations, saying, 'I'm not sure we're ever going to get a full ministry here . . . But there are a lot of services that can be offered outside of Edmonton.' Safety, housing and utilities Community safety was a key topic, with one resident expressing frustration. 'I live 10 minutes out of town. Constant break-ins, people driving up our driveway. The RCMP is not working fine,' stated the resident. In response, Cyr shifted blame from the police to the justice system, saying, 'Our RCMP are arresting people. Our courts are letting them go. It's likely six people doing 80 per cent of the crime. If we put those six people behind bars, we solve most of our problems.' Housing affordability for seniors also sparked strong concerns. One resident pointed out the rising rent at Points West Living, saying, 'That letter from AHS saying rent could go to $2,900 contradicts legislation. The consumer Price Index (CPI) this year is only 2.8 per cent. One senior is paying $2,660, she only receives $2,600 a month. How do seniors manage?' Cyr responded, stating, 'Send something to my office, and I'll have our administrator look into it.' He emphasized that local input is essential to improving health care and housing decisions. Utility costs raised concerns about rural fairness. City of Cold Lake councillour Vicky Lefebvre asked, 'We pay way more out here. What can the government do to make this fair?' Cyr acknowledged the issue, saying, 'We're getting twice the utility bills of Edmonton. Transmission fees are pooled, but distribution fees are regional. I want to see distribution fees pooled province-wide.' Concerns about a rising homeless population were also raised by several residents. Cyr noted that Cold Lake and St. Paul are 'hot spots,' regarding homelessness. He highlighted mobile navigation centers and recovery models from Edmonton and Calgary as potential solutions. Cyr also mentioned a new facility coming to the region. 'Métis Crossing (Healing Waters Recovery Community near Métis Crossing) is the closest recovery center coming up. What we need to do is put people through recovery, not ignore them.' The town hall ended with Cyr urging residents to stay engaged, send concerns to his office, and participate in Alberta's evolving future. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. 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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
AISH recipients panicked over looming provincial deadline: health providers
Health providers say people who receive Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) are calling them in a panic over a letter from the province that threatens to cut their benefits if they don't meet a September deadline. The providers tasked with filling out the forms for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and Canada Disability Benefits (CDB) say they are overwhelmed by the calls and confusion over the deadline set by the province. A copy of the letter obtained by CBC News states that AISH clients are "required to access all sources of income they may be eligible for, including federal programs." The letter tells clients to update their local AISH office about the status of their DTC and CDB applications prior to Sept. 5, 2025. "Clients who have not communicated the status of their CDB application to their AISH office prior to September 5, 2025, may see an equivalent amount to the CDB benefit, $200, deducted from their monthly AISH benefits, beginning with the October 2025 period of assistance," reads the letter. The province plans to keep AISH payments at the same amount but take back the $200 monthly amount for the federal benefit. The Alberta government has said it has the highest payments in Canada and exceeds the minimum set by the federal government. WATCH | Why AISH recipients won't get extra money from a new federal disability benefit: AISH recipients, who receive $1,901 a month from the province, say they are being forced to pay upfront for the medical evaluations in order to apply for the benefits. Ivy Hays, from Coronation, has received AISH benefits for nearly 20 years due to a number of permanent health issues that resulted from a massive heart attack in her late 30s. Hays said her physician is charging $400 to fill out the medical form for the DTC application. She said she asked to pay the clinic in instalments but the office insisted she had to pay the entire cost upfront. "My heart hit the floor," Hays said. "I have no living family. I have no way to come up with that $400." Her AISH caseworker arranged for a loan that she could pay back over a series of months, but Hays said she has learned the form will still take at least two months for the physician to fill out, taking her past the Sept. 5 deadline. At an unrelated news conference on Thursday, Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon said his government isn't expecting AISH recipients to complete the federal application process by September 5. Nixon said they are required to check in with their caseworker by that date and update them on where they're at with their application. "We will not be cutting off AISH benefits in September if people are still working through their process with the federal government," he said. 'Very sad' Patty Wilson, a nurse practitioner in Calgary, said her clinic is getting deluged with calls from patients with disabilities worried they will miss the September deadline. Others are concerned they received the letter because they did something wrong. "I'm sad, very sad, for my patients, as well, that this is another hurdle that they have to jump through, another added stressor they have to go through," Wilson said in an interview. Wilson estimates each form takes her about two to three hours to fill out. There are so many people in the queue, Wilson said she'd be lucky to get all them done by September 2026 She already has a one-year wait list for people needing medical forms to get AISH. Dr. Ginetta Silvalaggio, a family physician in Edmonton, said the forms have contributed to her working more hours. While she is managing to keep up at the moment, she worries what will happen by the end of August as the deadline creeps closer. Silvalaggio said she can't understand why the province is taking this action when it ended the last fiscal year with an $8.3 billion surplus. "Why target the disabled community in particular in the name of saving a buck?" she asked. "There's a lot of distress because the time frames are so tight." Research A new brief from the Disability Policy Research Program at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy compiled reaction to the changes from 241 AISH recipients who were allowed to stay anonymous so they could speak freely. If they could keep the Canada Disability Benefit, respondents said they would use that $200 to buy more and healthier groceries, pay for prescriptions not covered by health benefits, and cover rent increases in market housing. Others spoke about the ability to set aside $5 or $10 a month for a small emergency fund or even have the ability to leave their apartment. "I'm housebound because transportation is too expensive," a respondent from Edmonton wrote. "I feel trapped and being able to get out once in a while would be life-changing." Another respondent said the extra money would allow them to live with more independence and dignity "For someone relying on AISH, $200 isn't just money; it represents hope, stability, and a chance to live with real choices." Senior research associate Brittany Finley was involved in the report, which was an initiative of the Disability Policy Research Program and eight organizations across the province, including Inclusion Alberta, Disability Action Hall, Alberta Ability Network and Inclusion Grande Prairie. Finley said the responses showed that people on AISH believe the government is leaving them behind. "You don't feel that you're being valued as a citizen in the province where you were born and where you live," she said. "And I think that just makes people feel like they've lost hope." The brief recommends that the province abandon the CDB clawback and help AISH recipients apply for the Disability Tax Credit.
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
AISH recipients panicked over looming provincial deadline: health providers
Health providers say people who receive Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) are calling them in a panic over a letter from the province that threatens to cut their benefits if they don't meet a September deadline. The providers tasked with filling out the forms for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and Canada Disability Benefits (CDB) say they are overwhelmed by the calls and confusion over the deadline set by the province. A copy of the letter obtained by CBC News states that AISH clients are "required to access all sources of income they may be eligible for, including federal programs." The letter tells clients to update their local AISH office about the status of their DTC and CDB applications prior to Sept. 5, 2025. "Clients who have not communicated the status of their CDB application to their AISH office prior to September 5, 2025, may see an equivalent amount to the CDB benefit, $200, deducted from their monthly AISH benefits, beginning with the October 2025 period of assistance," reads the letter. The province plans to keep AISH payments at the same amount but take back the $200 monthly amount for the federal benefit. The Alberta government has said it has the highest payments in Canada and exceeds the minimum set by the federal government. Why AISH recipients won't get extra money from a new federal disability benefit 4 months ago The federal government is rolling out a new Canada Disability Benefit this summer, but qualified recipients in Alberta won't see the extra money if they already receive payments under AISH. As Travis McEwan reports, it's frustrating some Albertans. AISH recipients, who receive $1,901 a month from the province, say they are being forced to pay upfront for the medical evaluations in order to apply for the benefits. Ivy Hays, from Coronation, has received AISH benefits for nearly 20 years due to a number of permanent health issues that resulted from a massive heart attack in her late 30s. Hays said her physician is charging $400 to fill out the medical form for the DTC application. She said she asked to pay the clinic in instalments but the office insisted she had to pay the entire cost upfront. "My heart hit the floor," Hays said. "I have no living family. I have no way to come up with that $400." Her AISH caseworker arranged for a loan that she could pay back over a series of months, but Hays said she has learned the form will still take at least two months for the physician to fill out, taking her past the Sept. 5 deadline. At an unrelated news conference on Thursday, Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon said his government isn't expecting AISH recipients to complete the federal application process by September 5. Nixon said they are required to check in with their caseworker by that date and update them on where they're at with their application. "We will not be cutting off AISH benefits in September if people are still working through their process with the federal government," he said. 'Very sad' Patty Wilson, a nurse practitioner in Calgary, said her clinic is getting deluged with calls from patients with disabilities worried they will miss the September deadline. Others are concerned they received the letter because they did something wrong. "I'm sad, very sad, for my patients, as well, that this is another hurdle that they have to jump through, another added stressor they have to go through," Wilson said in an interview. Wilson estimates each form takes her about two to three hours to fill out. There are so many people in the queue, Wilson said she'd be lucky to get all them done by September 2026 She already has a one-year wait list for people needing medical forms to get AISH. Dr. Ginetta Silvalaggio, a family physician in Edmonton, said the forms have contributed to her working more hours. While she is managing to keep up at the moment, she worries what will happen by the end of August as the deadline creeps closer. Silvalaggio said she can't understand why the province is taking this action when it ended the last fiscal year with an $8.3 billion surplus. "Why target the disabled community in particular in the name of saving a buck?" she asked. "There's a lot of distress because the time frames are so tight." Research A new brief from the Disability Policy Research Program at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy compiled reaction to the changes from 241 AISH recipients who were allowed to stay anonymous so they could speak freely. If they could keep the Canada Disability Benefit, respondents said they would use that $200 to buy more and healthier groceries, pay for prescriptions not covered by health benefits, and cover rent increases in market housing. Others spoke about the ability to set aside $5 or $10 a month for a small emergency fund or even have the ability to leave their apartment. "I'm housebound because transportation is too expensive," a respondent from Edmonton wrote. "I feel trapped and being able to get out once in a while would be life-changing." Another respondent said the extra money would allow them to live with more independence and dignity "For someone relying on AISH, $200 isn't just money; it represents hope, stability, and a chance to live with real choices." Senior research associate Brittany Finley was involved in the report, which was an initiative of the Disability Policy Research Program and eight organizations across the province, including Inclusion Alberta, Disability Action Hall, Alberta Ability Network and Inclusion Grande Prairie. Finley said the responses showed that people on AISH believe the government is leaving them behind. "You don't feel that you're being valued as a citizen in the province where you were born and where you live," she said. "And I think that just makes people feel like they've lost hope."
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Opinion: AISH clawback underscores Alberta's fraying social contract
There's a dangerous myth woven into Alberta's treatment of its citizens with disabilities: the idea that they should simply be grateful. Grateful for surviving, grateful for scraps, grateful for a system that does not support their well-being, but barely keeps them breathing. But gratitude is not justice, and survival is not dignity. Former premier Peter Lougheed once understood that. When he created the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), it was visionary, a bold commitment to lifting Albertans with disabilities out of poverty and away from the stigma of welfare. It was a moral promise, not just a budget line, to protect those who could not protect themselves — not out of pity, but out of principle. That promise has been broken. Today, AISH is framed as 'generous,' but only in the most cynical of comparisons. Alberta pays slightly more than other provinces, in a country where every disability program leaves people below the poverty line. Bragging about being the best of the worst is not a mark of excellence; it's a distraction. The current rate of $1,902 per month sounds decent until you try to live on it in Calgary or Edmonton. After rent, utilities and food, most recipients are left choosing between medication and bus fare. This isn't generosity, it's slow deprivation, dressed in news releases. And now, the Canada Disability Benefit, a long-awaited federal program meant to lift people out of poverty, is being clawed back by Alberta. AISH recipients are told to apply, only to have every federal dollar deducted from their provincial benefit. What should have been a turning point is instead a trap. Alberta isn't supplementing, it's siphoning. This is not how a just society behaves. Justice means supporting people with disabilities not just in survival, but in well-being. It means recognizing that many want to work, but face unpredictable health conditions, chronic pain, PTSD or fatigue, which make conventional employment impossible. True justice offers flexibility, accommodation and stability, not punishment for failing to meet able-bodied expectations. Yet, the myth persists that people with disabilities should be content with what they're given. That mere existence should be enough to inspire gratitude. It's a degrading expectation. No one tells millionaires to be grateful for tax breaks. No one asks oil companies to be thankful for subsidies. But people with disabilities? They're told to smile while the social safety net is exchanged for a trampoline with a hole in it. I've seen what happens when the system fails. When an adult with a disability loses the parent they relied on, they don't just lose a caregiver, they lose their home, their structure and their hope. They fall, and there's no net. And when they spiral into mental-health crises, the system shrugs. This isn't a fluke; it's the outcome of choices made by people in power. And yet, Albertans with disabilities remain resilient. They remain proud. They are grateful, not for crumbs, but for every person who treats them with respect, for every doctor who listens, every stranger who sees their worth, every advocate who still has the energy to fight. But make no mistake, they are owed more than gratitude. They are owed justice. For justice is the price of civilization. Lougheed understood this more than 40 years ago. The current government has forgotten. Instead of defending dignity, they chase surpluses and weaponize austerity. But we, persons with disabilities, understand.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Opinion: AISH clawback underscores Alberta's fraying social contract
There's a dangerous myth woven into Alberta's treatment of its citizens with disabilities: the idea that they should simply be grateful. Grateful for surviving, grateful for scraps, grateful for a system that does not support their well-being, but barely keeps them breathing. But gratitude is not justice, and survival is not dignity. Former premier Peter Lougheed once understood that. When he created the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), it was visionary, a bold commitment to lifting Albertans with disabilities out of poverty and away from the stigma of welfare. It was a moral promise, not just a budget line, to protect those who could not protect themselves — not out of pity, but out of principle. That promise has been broken. Today, AISH is framed as 'generous,' but only in the most cynical of comparisons. Alberta pays slightly more than other provinces, in a country where every disability program leaves people below the poverty line. Bragging about being the best of the worst is not a mark of excellence; it's a distraction. The current rate of $1,902 per month sounds decent until you try to live on it in Calgary or Edmonton. After rent, utilities and food, most recipients are left choosing between medication and bus fare. This isn't generosity, it's slow deprivation, dressed in news releases. And now, the Canada Disability Benefit, a long-awaited federal program meant to lift people out of poverty, is being clawed back by Alberta. AISH recipients are told to apply, only to have every federal dollar deducted from their provincial benefit. What should have been a turning point is instead a trap. Alberta isn't supplementing, it's siphoning. This is not how a just society behaves. Justice means supporting people with disabilities not just in survival, but in well-being. It means recognizing that many want to work, but face unpredictable health conditions, chronic pain, PTSD or fatigue, which make conventional employment impossible. True justice offers flexibility, accommodation and stability, not punishment for failing to meet able-bodied expectations. Yet, the myth persists that people with disabilities should be content with what they're given. That mere existence should be enough to inspire gratitude. It's a degrading expectation. No one tells millionaires to be grateful for tax breaks. No one asks oil companies to be thankful for subsidies. But people with disabilities? They're told to smile while the social safety net is exchanged for a trampoline with a hole in it. I've seen what happens when the system fails. When an adult with a disability loses the parent they relied on, they don't just lose a caregiver, they lose their home, their structure and their hope. They fall, and there's no net. And when they spiral into mental-health crises, the system shrugs. This isn't a fluke; it's the outcome of choices made by people in power. And yet, Albertans with disabilities remain resilient. They remain proud. They are grateful, not for crumbs, but for every person who treats them with respect, for every doctor who listens, every stranger who sees their worth, every advocate who still has the energy to fight. But make no mistake, they are owed more than gratitude. They are owed justice. For justice is the price of civilization. Lougheed understood this more than 40 years ago. The current government has forgotten. Instead of defending dignity, they chase surpluses and weaponize austerity. But we, persons with disabilities, understand.
