The Opposition NDP is continuing to call on the Alberta government to halt changes to the province’s long-running disability assistance program, exactly one month before the modifications are set to take effect.
A planned transition from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) – for most current recipients – is scheduled for July 1.
The Alberta NDP, longtime opponents of the transition, is continuing to urge the UCP to reverse course.
“There is still time for this UCP government to do the right thing,” said Marie Renaud, the Alberta NDP shadow minister for community and social services, at a press conference Monday. “We’ve said this before, and I will say it again: this is dangerous, cruel and unnecessary.”
Nearly 80,000 Albertans currently receiving AISH will be moved to ADAP next month. Under the new system, Albertans deemed capable of working will receive lower monthly payments, with the government saying the goal is to encourage and support greater workforce participation.
“We’re seeing the real impact already,” said Renaud. “People are reaching out because they’re terrified and angry. They don’t know how they’re going to make ends meet.”
“People with disabilities deserve stability, dignity, and respect – not uncertainty and fear.”
Those determined by the province to be unable to work will remain on AISH.
City councils in Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer and several other municipalities passed motions asking the government to put the changes on hold.
Statistics Canada data from 2025 show Alberta has the highest employment rate for people with disabilities in the country, at just over 50 per cent.
The UCP government has said ADAP will allow for the highest level of employment income in Canada while Albertans continue to receive benefits.
Currently, AISH recipients can work but their income is deducted from their monthly living allowance.
The Alberta NDP is saying recipients will be earning less money under ADAP than under AISH. According to the program guide, the maximum allowance for recipients will be $200 less than the amount available through AISH.
“This is a cost-saving exercise,” Renaud said. “This is blowing up AISH.”
–With files from Jillian Code in Calgary