For immediate release – May 6, 2025

The Government of Alberta’s decision to claw back the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) – a federal benefit intended to help lift Canadians with disabilities out of poverty – from AISH recipients is punitive, mean-spirited and undermines the benefit’s fundamental purpose. Now, to add insult to injury, they have informed AISH recipients they must apply for the benefit, which requires going through a time-consuming and complex eligibility process that requires applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) which often can cost as much as $300, so that, should they be eligible, the government can reduce their AISH by the corresponding amount. This is an unconscionable decision to take money meant to improve the lives of people with disabilities and redirect it to government coffers.

“At the same time as this government is cutting income taxes, it is effectively adding close to 10% tax on disability by clawing back up to $200/month of what would be the combined amount of AISH and CDB,” says Inclusion Alberta CEO Trish Bowman. “What moral justification could there possibly be for leaving Albertans with disabilities to live off less than MLAs receive for their taxpayer-funded housing allowance? To suggest the amount of AISH alone is adequate shows just how out of touch this government has become with the realities of people with disabilities and their families.”

“The Government of Alberta could have helped reduce the poverty and struggles experienced by many people with disabilities without spending anything, by simply staying out of the way and allowing adults on AISH to access the CDB,” said Ashton Kennedy, an Inclusion Alberta board member who receives AISH. “This may not seem like a lot of money to some, but it would have made a big difference for me. Instead, the government cruelly made the decision to take it away and on top of that, force people to find money they already don’t have to complete the application process.”

Inclusion Alberta calls on the Government of Alberta to reverse their decision to claw back the Canada Disability Benefit, allowing the benefit to do what it is intended to do; reduce poverty for people with disabilities. In line with other federal benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit, the CDB should be considered exempt income. The government should never seek to address its budget challenges at the expense of those already disadvantaged and living in poverty. Surely, this is not the Alberta that we have become.

-30-

Inclusion Alberta Chief Executive Officer Trish Bowman is available for interviews. Please contact Sara Protasow, Inclusion Alberta Communications Coordinator at sprotasow@inclusionalberta.org or 780-906-4693.

About Inclusion Alberta: Inclusion Alberta is a family based, non-profit federation that advocates on behalf of children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. Together, we share a dream of meaningful family life and community inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. As an advocacy organization we support families and individuals in their desire to be fully included in community life.