An update on honouring our contracts, light the way for self-advocacy

Update: A message from the SAIPA, Self Advocacy Federation and Disability Action Hall, March 11^th, 2025

We are still here. But for how long?

Over 800 Albertans have sent letters to their MLA and Premier of Alberta and Minister of Seniors and Community Social Services via a letter-writing website to ask the Alberta government to honour the contracts to provide the self-advocacy groups more time to find alternate funding. We have also been told that many people have sent letters directly outside of the site.

While the Minister has claimed that this funding is being diverted to direct services, the community is well aware that our work also provides direct services to Albertans, as mentioned in the editorial letter by previous CEO of Edmonton PDD Hart Chapelle (Disabled Albertans Deserve Better,February 26, 2025, Lethbridge Herald.

Since the defunding was first made known on January 7, the Alberta government has announced changes to AISH which has left the disability community confused, fearful, asking questions and seeking information that is simply unavailable. 

Meanwhile, these self-advocacy groups, having served hundreds of individuals over the past 20 – 27 years, are likely to fold, as many foundation proposal deadlines have passed. Those with upcoming deadlines will not provide funding to successful applicants until early Fall, leaving a significant gap before supporting staff can be paid. As a result, SAIPA has announced it will close its doors until further notice.  Please see the Calgary Herald article dated March 7^th, 2025 

Disability Action Hall has launched a fundraising plan for the upcoming year.  Called “Light the Way for Self-advocacy,” its goal is to have 4500 people donate $25 or more to secure 1 year of emergency funding to replace what has been lost from prematurely cancelled contract. Those who donate through this website will get an immediate charitable tax receipt from Canada Helps.

Self-Advocacy Federation will pause its actions as of March 31, 2025, and has started a GoFundMe campaign to help them tie up some loose ends for projects they are still working on. Visit “Save the SAF” to contribute. They hope to develop a social enterprise to fund the group, but such plans take more time to develop than they have left. They have asked the Disability Advocate to advocate for their plan and are waiting to hear back from the Disability Advocate.

The groups have also met with several members of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities to talk about how this has impacted the self-advocacy movement in Alberta. We have invited the Minister to come and speak with the group and await a response.