Federal benefit could have helped people on AISH, but it doesn’t

By Lethbridge Herald on August 6, 2025.

Rene Plaizier and Bruce McKay
Inclusion Lethbridge

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is a new monthly federal payment of $200 that is a small but much needed boost for most Canadian adults with disabilities. But not for Albertans. Why?  

The government of Alberta claims that Alberta’s Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) provides the highest  level of support amongst provincial programs for people with disabilities in Canada. This is true. The minimum threshold that Ottawa expects provinces to support disabled adults is $1,811.00 per month. Alberta’s AISH provides $1,901for the typical recipient. According to Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, Alberta is “leading the way.”

However, during a July 17, 2025 press conference, Minister Nixon also explained that because Alberta’s AISH exceeds the GOC recommended threshold, the government of Alberta will reduce monthly AISH payments by the equivalent of the CDB. So, instead of a $200 increase, AISH recipients will see no change. Because the federal government did not ensure that the CDB is exempt income, the Province of Alberta is legally entitled to count it as an income source when determining AISH amounts. 

All of this is legal. But is it right? The poverty line for an individual in Calgary, Alberta is $2,413 per month according to Stats Canada. Those receiving the maximum monthly AISH allowance of $1,901 must still live on a shocking $512 per month less than the poverty line!

The government of Alberta recently announced a budget surplus of $8.3 billion. Not surprisingly, MLAs gave themselves a $270 increase in their own housing allowance which will now be $2,200 per month. This is higher than the total amount someone on AISH receives for all living expenses. 

Yet the provincial government is depriving adults with disabilities a nationally funded $200 increase per month. This is an unjust and harsh clawback for some of our most vulnerable Albertans.

To make it even more challenging, AISH recipients must apply for the Canada Disability Benefit. This involves a lengthy medical/abilities questionnaire to be completed by a medical practitioner. Completing these forms can cost anywhere from $50 – $400 dollars and AISH does not compensate for this expense. And even if Albertans apply and are eligible for the CDB, it will be for nothing since there will be no increase in their monthly income.  

To be fair, the federal government has a lot to answer for in this whole scenario. Firstly, why make such an onerous application process that duplicates what people with disabilities have to do to prove their eligibility for their provincial guaranteed disability income in the first place? Secondly, why did the federal government not build into the legislation an exemption for the CDB in income calculations for federal and provincial low-income subsidy programs? Thirdly, in this time when the cost of living has risen significantly in the last five years, why would the federal government decide that $200 is an adequate amount to lift people with disabilities out of poverty?

So where do we go from here?  People can exercise their citizenship rights by letting their elected representatives know how they feel about these decisions.  Surely, we as a province and country can do better. By increasing income for the most vulnerable, we increase positive outcomes in health and well being. By deliberately keeping income below the poverty line we ensure that people with disabilities are at greater risk of food insecurity, unsafe housing, inadequate health support, fewer social connections, unsafe transportation and overall lower quality of life. All of these are precursors to greater cost to society in the long run.  

Please take the time to read the recently published brief by Inclusion Alberta,  “Losing the Canada Disability Benefit means losing hope for many Albertans,” which highlights real-life examples of how the CDB clawback will keep Albertans with disabilities in poverty. 

Inclusion Lethbridge will be hosting an information and action event on August 13 at Casa Community Room, from 5:30 – 7:30pm.  Please join us to learn more about the CDB clawback and other provincial decisions regarding people with disabilities.  Take the opportunity to join with others to contact your local MLAs, write letters to provincial and federal ministers, and think about how we can work to make a positive difference for your family, for yourself and for your neighbors with disabilities.  

Rene Plaizier is the Executive Director, Inclusion Lethbridge Association. Bruce MacKay is the President of the Board, Inclusion Lethbridge Association