Minimum Wage Increase threaten Albertans safety in their homes

Last November, Community and Social Services said Albertans with developmental disabilities with overnight care have the right to live safely in the homes of their choice. However the right to choose where to live is again now under threat as minimum wage increases over the next three years from $ 11.20 to $ 15 per hour.  While the disability sector is supportive to increase wages to the lowest paid workers, yet the Alberta government has left people with disabilities no means to pay their worker minimum wage to help them be safe overnight. “We are being forced into a deficit budget position.” Says Ryan Geake of the Calgary SCOPE Society.  

Studies have shown people with disabilities are more than likely to be injured in a fall at home as much as the elderly and it is the leading cause of hospitalization and death.  What will happen when Albertans with developmental disabilities are no longer able to pay their worker minimum wage to be in their home to be safe? 

The Alberta government failing to provide funding without the miminum wage increase for overnight care goes against the recommendations made in the Supporting Safe and Inclusive Lives Report of the Persons with Developmental Disabilities Safety Standards Consultation 2016 "Staff wages should be increased to reflect higher education and training requirements implemented through a human resource plan." 

Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir , centre, and Ryan Geake, executive director of Calgary scope society, left, visits with Loyd Thornhill, foreground, and Harold Gregory in a group home at 26 Hallmark Place SW in Calgary, AB., on Friday, April 1, 2016. ANDY MAXWELL MAWJI / CALGARY HERALD

A Public Health Agency Canada 2016 report states "Falls are a leading cause of overall injury costs in Canada. The total economic burden of falls is estimated at $6 billion annually (Parachute Canada, 2014). The direct health care costs for fall-related injuries are $2 billion annually.  Health Status of Canada is already aware far too many Canadians living on low-income go without proper care who need it. 

Why then, is the Alberta government wanting to add more stress and costs to an overwhelmed health care system?  A government to say "It’s time to increase a minimum wage" and not do it themselves is irresponsible and potentially passing off the injury costs to health care. Minister Irfan Sabir said in April 2016 "Everyone deserves to live safely, and our government is committed to listening to Albertans and ensuring that the dignity of persons with developmental disabilities is upheld.” 

A plan is needed. People who need overnight staff to stay safe to help to live with dignity in the homes of their choice. Putting people at risk is not the solution. The Alberta government needs to fulfills its promise to implement the recommendations of the safety standards. More dollars are needed to address the minimum wage increase to meet the safety needs of Albertans who have overnight staff to live with dignity.  

How We Speak Up for Change

Many people ask us how we work together. We would like to tell you how we pick what we work on, rules we keep in mind when we talk to government and if the rules work for us.

1. How do we pick what we work on?

We pick what we want to work on by talking about it. When a topic keeps coming up, we decide to do something about it.

Many of the members of the Hall have a disability and understand what we need to do to make life better. Our plan is about lot of what we do as a group to make sure everyone has a good life. (Public benefit).

Hall members work on good services, pride and culture, relationships and networking, enough money to live and a home for all.

2. Rules we keep in mind when we talk to the government

In Canada

Charities have rules when we talk to the government as a group.  When we share our ideas with the government, we have rules to follow to make what we say is for the greater good.  If you want, here is a link to watch a few videos about the rules.

In Alberta

Alberta is also looking at the Alberta Lobbyist Act.

The Act helps people who talk to the Alberta government. There are some ideas in a report for charities and groups to now register as a lobbyist. The December 16, 2016, report tells why non-profits need to be included in the lobbyist act.

In 2007 a lobbyist was a person who speaks to the government for private benefit, they are called lobbyists. Lobbyists are also told they need to register and have to follow certain rules.   At that time, the government said it is ok not to include non-profit groups who speak up for the greater good (public benefit).

Now, to help the government pick what needs to be changed in the act, a group is known as the “Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship” meets. The group will then write a report for the Alberta government cabinet sometime in April

2017.  Link to Lobbyist Act Review.

3. Do the rules work?

The Canada rules work for us.

The Alberta Lobbyist Act may not if the act will now include non-profits.

The Canada government video also says, non-profits work day-to-day with issues and can provide insight into making better policy when talking to the government. There are also Albertans who want to make sure the government does not want the act to include non-profits. The groups say talking to the government about the greater good is very different than private business.  

The Calgary Chamber of Volunteer Organizations (CCVO) posted a joint letter and shared it with the committee. The letter says why there is no need to include non-profits and groups who speak up for the greater good. Other provinces like Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan and the City of Toronto also say not to include non-profits to be lobbyists.

The Hall also wrote a letter about why it is important for us to continue to speak up for human rights in order to make good policy that works for Albertans.
Here is a link to our letter.

If you think it is important for you to keep on speaking to the government about how to make life better for Albertans, share your ideas with your Minister of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and the Chair of the Committee before April 2017. (Deadline has passed, we are sending letters).

Address to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship:

Mr. Rod Loyola, MLA and Chair 'Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship'

c/o Committee Clerk 3rd Floor, 9820 107 Street Edmonton, AB T5K 1E7

Share your ideas with your MLA

Visit the street keys website and type in your postal code.