An Alberta government plan to treat the new $200 federal Canada Disability Benefit for individuals with disabilities as non-exempt income for those who are on AISH has been drawing controversy.
Marie Renaud, the NDP Shadow Minister for Community and Social Services, says there’s some things the UCP government isn’t realizing about the people who need those supports.
“The vast majority of people that live rough and couch surf and are homeless have some kind of disability. We know that the poverty is super deep for people with disabilities. It doesn’t cost them anything just to leave people alone and let them have this benefit, yet they’re choosing to make life even more difficult.”
The benefit, expected to start payments in June, is intended to support low-income Canadians with disabilities.
Renaud says she has heard many stories about the hardship the claw back will cause.
“People are already going to food banks, it’s not a matter of do I have to go to the food bank, it’s how many times can I go when they’re on AISH. They’re making choices that are negatively impacting their health. Particularly people who just have to get into a bigger city sometimes for whether it’s equipment repairs or some kind of treatment.”
Renaud says they include people who live in rural Alberta who skip medical appointments with a specialist in larger centres because they can’t afford the travel.
You can listen to the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
