Legislature unanimously approves creation of disability advocate

The Alberta legislature voted unanimously Wednesday to create the new position of disability advocate within the government.

The legislation was originally a private members bill from Calgary-North West MLA Sandra Jansen but was made government business by the NDP to allow it to be debated and passed this spring.

The advocate, who will report to the Community Services Minister, will both examine broader issues affecting people with disabilities and assist individuals having difficulties with the system.

“From the feedback we heard, there’s a lot that isn’t working right right now,” said Jansen in the legislature. “And there are no better people to tell us what’s not working than people with disabilities who are accessing the system and their advocates currently who are helping them do that.”

The legislation was supported by opposition parties, though Wildrose wanted an amendment that would allow for a review process to get public input after two years of the act being in place. That was defeated.

Liberal Leader David Swann called for the new disability advocate to be an independent officer of the legislature, such as the children’s advocate, rather than reporting to the minister. The new position is akin to the existing health advocate, seniors advocate and mental health patient advocate posts.

Jansen said in an interview that making the disability advocate an officer of the legislation would be ideal but it would require significant financial resources that aren’t available at this time, noting the children’s advocate has a $14-million budget.

She expects the disability advocate will have a budget of around $800,000 to $900,000. The government says funding will be found within the existing Community Services budget.

There is no exact time frame but Jansen said it’s likely the bill will receive royal assent in the next month and a job posting for the advocate to go up this summer.