Protesters fight for disability supports

By Lethbridge Herald on February 4, 2025.

Members of AUPE 006 and allies, picket to protest the crisis faced by Albertans with disabilities and those who care for them, Tuesday afternoon outside the Provincial Building. Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Approximately 30 people braved the frigid -32 C windchill Tuesday afternoon during the lunch hour to protest a crisis causing vulnerable Albertans to wait more than two years to access the support they need.

Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) working for the Government of Alberta in the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) programs and their allies are exposing the crisis facing Albertans with disabilities and those who care for them.

Curtis Jackson, vice-president of the AUPE south region, said this is the fourth information picket that AUPE Local 6 has hosted in response to cuts in disability services. They had previously picketed in Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Edmonton. 

“What we know is that there are 12,000 Albertans on a waiting list that have their needs assessed for their children and their dependants that rely on them for support with disabilities,” said Jackson. 

He said that in response to this waitlist, case workers were hired, but now the government has chosen to end those temporary contracts and cut back funding to disability advocacy groups. 

“I know Minister Nixon made a press release this morning announcing a new program that will go along side AISH, which is great,” said Jackson. “But what about the children?” Nobody is considering the fact that in order to qualify for AISH and other programs, you have to be an adult with a disability.” Please see related story on this page.

Jackson said that what AUPE is asking from  Nixon is to consider these cutbacks that he has targeted towards families that support children with disabilities and to reverse those cuts. 

“To look for more staff onboard, more boots on the ground means these Albertans can get their needs assessed and get the supports they so desperately need,” said Jackson. 

He said they will continue to tour across the province to picket, with the next stop being in Fort MacMurray. 

“We are also engaging with public stake holders to get ‘ground zero’ information as to how these cuts are impacting the families with children who have disabilities,” said Jackson.