Busy time in the legislature
Whether November feels like fall or winter changes every year, but no matter the weather, this month always feels like a time for buckling down and focusing on the work that needs to be done. The Legislative Session is in sitting now, which means that I am spending a lot of time representing the Constituency of LethbridgeWest in Edmonton. I’m happy to share with you a few of the things we’ve been working on.
I have seen the powerful activism of the disability community since my first week in office. I have spoken with many Albertans with disabilities and their family members, and heard over and over that services need to be more accessible and equitable. We have been taking steps to address these concerns, like this summer when we created new userfriendly AISH application forms and guides.
We’ve also, after significant consultation with the disability community, amended the AISH legislation to allow families to set up trusts to provide for persons with disabilities without negatively affecting their eligibility for the AISH program. I have heard from many families that this allowed them to plan for the future, and to feel secure that their child with disabilities will be financially stable in the long-term.
Now, I am pleased to say that we have appointed Alberta’s first ever Advocate for Persons with Disabilities. Tony Flores has been selected for the position, and is leading a new office that opened just this month. Mr. Flores is a self-advocate, an international para-athlete, has an education in economics and political science, and has extensive experience working with people with disabilities. The Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities will help children, youth, and adults to know their rights, and access services. You can learn more here: https://www.alberta.ca/ advocate-persons-disabilities.
aspx or contact the office at advocate.disability@gov.ab.ca.
I’ve said in the past, as has Premier Notley, that the economic recovery is not done until it has reached every kitchen table. People with disabilities are no exception. That’s why the government has put forward a bill this session that would index AISH to inflation — and not just AISH, but Income Support and Seniors Benefits, too. If passed, this bill will provide protection and predictability to the nearly 250,000 Albertans who receive support through these three programs. Indexing these programs to inflation means that as the cost of living increases, vulnerable Albertans won’t slip further and further behind. This is a key component of our Action on Poverty plan; another way that we are fighting for Albertans.
November is Family Violence Prevention Month, and this year’s theme is “Reach Out, Speak Out — Everyone has the Right to be Safe.” You can support survivors of family violence by wearing a purple ribbon, attending a local event, or using the hashtags #GoPurpleAB or #ReachOutSpeakOut. This year, the government provided an $8.1-million funding increase to the Alberta Association of Sexual Assault Services, which will increase access to counselling and crisis services across the province.
We have also invested in a $15-million increase to women’s shelters, increased funding to Family and Community Support Services, and provided emergency funds to almost 6,000 Albertans fleeing abuse.
If you know someone in an abusive situation, there are resources available to help them. In an emergency, call 911. In a non-emergency, the Family Violence Info Line is available at 310-1818 and is tollfree, 24/7, and in more than 170 languages. Our website (alberta.ca/EndFamilyViolence) lists local supports regardless of where you live. Family violence can affect anyone, but it is preventable. Everyone has a right to safety, and we can all help with prevention efforts in our communities.
Finally, if you know someone who is celebrating a milestone birthday or a wedding anniversary, we can provide celebratory scrolls. Depending on the event, we can request scrolls from the premier and even the queen! Contact my office for more information at 403-3294644 or Lethbridge.west@assembly.ab.ca.