Accessible Widget

September 18, 2020

"It's time to work together Alberta to protect everyone's future!"

 

MEDIA ADVISORY, for immediate release

It’s time to work together Alberta to protect everyone’s future!

A response to the recent AISH announcements from the Alberta Government

Members of the Disability Action Hall have growing concerns about the amount of news coverage concerning the Assured Income for Severely Handicapped (AISH) program in the past week. For Albertans who have gone through the difficult application process to get AISH, and who rely on the $1685 monthly allowance to survive, it is very worrisome.

We don’t understand why the government did not come to talk to us before making any changes to AISH. Many of us are afraid to speak out for fear of being targeted. We have a lot of questions for the government and hope to talk with them to get some answers. We want to try to work together. We don’t understand how tweaking a well-regulated program with low-fraud rates will really solve the bigger revenue problem of Alberta? We have the same question as popular Calgary Sun political columnist Rick Bell: “Why is the Premier going after skinny cats when there are fat cats?” 

Why is the government looking at people who are already struggling, who face multiple barriers in affording to live in Calgary, who have lost any employment income they might have had, who are at risk of being COVID food insecure and who are at high risk of being triggered into mental illness from these news announcements?

"For my 33-page guide to the application and the 18-page guide and application my doctor filled out, it was a hard process. I would like the government to know it is not an easy program to get onto, especially if you have a hidden disability. I also went through a 16-hour additional test to help the government understand my disability and how it affects my day-to-day, as well as my ability to work,” says Mary Salvani.

Now is not the time to pick on those who are most at risk. There is nothing to win and much to lose in terms of increased homelessness, food insecurity, mental, and physical health costs. We think the pandemic has created an opportunity for all political parties to put their heads together with Albertans and get through these hard times; a time to work together in solidarity and to create new solutions for all Albertans.

 

September 17, 2020

Please stay tuned... meeting tonight about recent news about AISH

Members of the Disability Action Hall are concerned about the recent news coverage of the Assured Income for Severely Handicapped program also commonly known as AISH. 

We will be meeting online tonight, Thursday, September 17th at 6 pm to discuss the recent news and prepare a response. 

Please email or leave a message at 403.717.7630 before 5:30 pm if you would like to join us for our meeting and we will provide you with the code. 

Here is some of the media coverage we would like to share with you. 

Please stay tuned. 

Media Links AISH coverage Sept 11 to today

NDP Facebook Live News release, September 17th, 2020 

Calgary Sun, Rick Bell, commentary, September 17th, 2020

CBC News, September 15th, 2020 AISH eligibility criteria

Calgary Herald, September 15th, 2020, Don Braid, "Kenney can't pay down debt on the backs of the disabled"

Rajan Sawhney, Facebook post, September 13th, 2020 

Calgary Herald September 12th, 2020, Don Braid, "Cutting Support for disabled people will backfire on Kenney" 

CBC News, September 12th, 2020, Rajan Sawhney AISH response"

Edmonton Journal- September 11th, 2020, "Leave AISH payment alone, opposition and advocates tell Alberta Government" 


September 4, 2020

Celebrate hope with us!

 We are gearing up for September! 

For September 10th, please check out the Wordfest talk to listen to author Thomas Dixon talk about his new book "Commanding Hope: The Power We Have to Renew a World in Peril. 


Join the Basic Income YYC Arts Collective for the online gallery launch of "Basic Income, through the lens of the Disabled, Deaf and Mad." 

ASL and closed captioning will be provided. 
Tickets are also on Eventbrite to meet the artists.  

And to learn more about the basic income movement in Calgary visit www.basicincomecalgary.ca 

Check out our calendar for more details and upcoming events for September