Reaction to the restored provincial funding for Calgary’s Low-income Transit Pass

Reaction to Restored Provincial Funding for Calgary's Fair Entry Low-Income Transit Pass

“I’m relieved that we are still being funded. But I am very concerned that cutting funding was even considered. I need the low-income transit pass for my classes and volunteering.”

– R. Disability Action Hall member

We are grateful for the clarification from the Province of Alberta today about continuing to support the low-income transit pass for Edmonton and Calgary. The low-income transit pass program, Fair Entry in Calgary, continues to be a gateway to affordable public services for over 119,000 Calgarians who make less than 

$ 30,560 annually. 

"While I am grateful for the provincial government's decision to rescind the funding cuts to low-income bus passes, it was very stressful to be faced with the potential reality of not being able to afford transportation to access my fundamental needs such as medical appointments and treatment. The population's well-being needs to be considered as it is unacceptable for the provincial government to cause undue psychological stress.” 

-Alex, Disability Action Hall Member

Despite today’s news, the Disability Action Hall believes that expanding the low-income transit pass program to include Calgarians making slightly over the poverty line would make more sense. Life is becoming more unaffordable for people in lower income brackets, and raising the threshold[i] to qualify would expand opportunities for both work and recreation for many Albertans.

“I would like to see the Province and City continue to support this effort as a permanent plan due to rising inflation costs.”  

-Lloyd, Disability Action Hall Member  

We hope the city and the province will continue to work together to ensure all Albertans have access to affordable and accessible public transit. Members of the Hall are amazed by the provincial response and see the value of affordable, accessible public transit across Alberta. 

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[i] MBM Threshold Stats Canada Calgary $55 771 as the most expensive city in Canada.  Comparing the Most and Least Expensive Canadian Cities for Basic Living Costs in 2024 - Green Light Canada

Media links: 

CTV 

 https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/province-backtracks-will-continue-to-fund-low-income-transit-pass-program-in-calgary-edmonton-1.6869202

Province backtracks will continue to fund low-income transit pass program in Calgary, Edmonton. A day after Calgary's mayor called the Alberta government's decision to pull its funding for the low-income transit pass program "cruel," the province is reversing its decision. calgary.ctvnews.ca

Global 

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/alberta-government-reverses-course-will-continue-to-fund-low-income-transit-passes/ar-AA1nZKri

Alberta government reverses course, will continue to fund low-income transit passes The Alberta government said Wednesday it will not cut low-income transit pass funding. www.msn.com

CBC 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-government-low-income-transit-pass-funding-1.7190657

Province reverses decision to cut funding for low-income bus passes in Calgary and Edmonton | CBC News The provincial government won't cut funding to low-income transit passes in Alberta's two biggest cities. The news came after mayors and social advocates roundly criticized the decision. www.cbc.ca

City TV

Alberta reverses decision on low-income transit passes Alberta is walking back it's decision to pull funding for low-income transit passes in Calgary and Edmonton. calgary.citynews.ca

Statement in response Canada Disability Benefit investment April 2024

 If I had $500 extra dollars (Canada Disability Benefit)

Members from the Disability Action Hall in Calgary & Area want to share the impact that having more income to address inflation might have on Canadians across the country. The data collected from the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) consultation to help paint an accurate picture of the financial needs of 1.5 million Canadians is a legacy to be proud of. We have a short film, “If I Had $500 Extra Dollars” (3.23 minutes), and share how it will make a difference in our daily lives.

• We are disappointed that the $200 monthly budgeted amount does not lift Canadians with disabilities out of poverty. 
• Every little bit helps, especially when the federal government strives for the indexed supplement to be free from provincial clawbacks. 
• Alberta’s provincial assistance is 650 dollars below the poverty line ($30 526 ). 
• The Canada Disability Benefit amount should reflect the area in which people live. Living costs within Alberta are inconsistent, and the costs in larger centers like Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, or Northern Canada are not comparable to other places. 
• We also ask for the CDB to expand eligibility beyond the disability tax credit and automatically enroll all those who currently receive provincial/territorial disability financial support. 
• We look forward to providing more input into the second draft of the regulations once it is published in the Canada Gazette.

Sincerely,

Members of the Disability Action Hall, Calgary, Alberta

cc: Block Quebecois Leader, Yves-François Blanchet Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca  , Conservative Party of Canada House Leader, Pierre Poilievre pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca  , Green Party of Canada Leader, Elizabeth May elizabeth.may@parl.gc.ca, New Democratic Party of Canada House Leader, Jagmeet Singh Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca, , Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca, MP of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca BQC Shadow Minister, Louise Chabot,  louisechabot@bloc.quebec,  Conservative Party Shadow Minister, Tracy Gray Tracy.Gray@parl.gc.ca, Green Party Shadow Minister, Mike Morrice mike.morrice@parl.gc.ca, NDP Shadow Minister, Bonita Zarillo bonita.zarrillo@parl.gc.ca. Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon, SCSS.minister@gov.ab.ca, Official Critic of SCSS Marie Renaud St.Albert@assembly.ab.ca

"If I had an extra $500 dollars"

 What would I do with $500 extra dollars? 

Inflation has hit all of us. 'If I had an extra $500 dollars' shares the nation wide impact if the Canada Disability Benefit became a reality. If I had an extra $500 helps illustrate how some people said they would use the funds to address basic needs, food, school, visit family and improve their living situation for the future.

To learn more about the Canada Disability Benefit and the draft regulations being put forward visit the Government of Canada site.

Overview of the Canada Disability Benefit – Supporting Canadians with disabilities - Canada.ca

You can also subscribe to the mailing list and learn about the second phase of the engagement process will begin with the publishing of proposed regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette. 

Canadians will be able to review and provide comments on the proposed regulations. The Government will then look at the comments received and may make changes to the regulations in response to the feedback received before finalizing them. 

The final regulations will then be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette.

"If I had an extra $500 dollars" March 2024, (3.23 minutes) YouTube