Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will announce more details about how her government plans to re-index insured income for the severely disabled and persons with developmental disabilities (AISH) and other government benefit programs.
Smith addressed the plans to provide financial relief amid the ongoing inflation and affordability crisis during her televised address last Tuesday, and spoke about changing AISH when she issued mandate letters to her ministers earlier this month.
AISH supports about 70,000 Albertans with permanent medical problems that prevent them from earning a living by providing a basic benefit of $1,685 a month, according to the province.
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Alberta premier issues mandate letters to ministers stressing inflation, ‘affordability crisis’
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Alberta premier issues mandate letters to ministers stressing inflation, ‘affordability crisis’
The United Conservative government de-indexed AISH in 2019 because the province needed to find ways to “exercise restraint” and work to wipe out the $63 billion debt.
A University of Calgary study published in July found that Alberta’s de-indexing policy cost residents more in taxes: Albertans paid $118.6 million more in taxes in 2020 because of the province’s de-indexing policy.
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Smith also accused the federal government of causing inflation through government spending and attacking Alberta’s economy, saying Alberta’s fiscal situation is in a position where the government is able to provide financial relief to citizens who need it has.
“These are just first steps and there is much more to do,” she said during her televised speech.
Community and social services critic Marie Renaud slammed Smith’s plans in a statement on Monday, saying the UCP was now reversing bad decisions it made in 2019.
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She also accused the province of not having compassion for Albertans because the de-indexing of AISH and other government benefits affected vulnerable people in many communities.
“This government has stood still for three years and let our fellow Albertans fall deeper into the abyss. Re-indexing support, on a forward basis, is the very least this government can do,” Renaud’s said in a statement.
“This move, which comes only six months before an election, clearly shows this government’s motivation and lack of compassion and understanding of what people have gone through for three devastating years.
“They cannot ignore the fact that people have suffered for years during a pandemic and record high inflation, and must make these adjustments retroactive.”
— With files from Phil Heidenreich, Global News
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