When the federal government introduced the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), it was meant to offer a long-overdue boost to people with disabilities living on low incomes. But in Alberta, many recipients of the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program may never see that extra support.
The provincial government has announced that any CDB payments will be deducted dollar-for-dollar from AISH, meaning many Albertans with disabilities will see no increase in their monthly income.
Alberta is currently the only province to announce this kind of offset. The decision has sparked concern, frustration, and fear in the disability community. The purpose of the federal benefit, to provide additional support to Canadians with disabilities, is undermined by these claw backs.
Paul Sawka – a self-advocate, a proud Albertan, and the Awareness Leader at the Canadian Down Syndrome Society – shares why this policy is deeply personal and urges Premier Danielle Smith and Minister Jason Nixon to reconsider.
A Self-Advocate’s Plea to the Alberta Government
Dear Danielle Smith and Jason Nixon,
My name is Paul Sawka. I am the Awareness Leader for the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. I am also part of the Down Syndrome community here in Calgary. I am proud to live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
I am writing to you because I am unhappy, sad, and hurt. You have decided to claw back my AISH because of the Canada Disability Benefit. It should never be clawed back. Not at all.
This decision is going to damage people. It is going to damage the way that I get my AISH. It will change the way I get my income.
Here in our country, here in Canada and in Calgary, I have parents who are trying to protect me. I don’t want my parents to have to worry about me. I want to keep living independently and not have to go live with my parents. I want my mom and dad to be able enjoy being retired and travel around the world.
I am saying this, not just for myself, but on behalf of many people. People who I know in the Down syndrome community and through Special Olympics and everyone who gets AISH like me. Many people have a low income and we need money to really have a home to live in and to have friends and go to school and work. You don’t want us to get the top up from the CDB. How does that make you feel?
It is unfair because no other province is doing this. I don’t understand why you would want to take help away from people like me, especially when it is so expensive to live. It is so very wrong and this is making us very unhappy. You really, truly just can’t be doing this. Why can’t the government help people instead of hurting them?
Please don’t take away this benefit. Don’t hurt us like this. We need your support to live good, independent lives.
Sincerely,
Paul Sawka
Awareness Leader
Canadian Down Syndrome Society
Take Action
If you believe all Albertans with disabilities deserve full access to the Canada Disability Benefit, contact your MLA and share your concerns about the AISH clawback. Your voice can help protect this vital support.