Squeezing out non-profits

Re: “Home-care co-operative devastated by shutdown; Alberta Health putting care of disabled in hands of contractors,” the Journal, June 5. Removing the successful model of self-care in the Creekside housing coop is an uninformed, poor decision.

The Alberta government, over the decades I’ve been involved in advocacy, has admitted to not having an inventory of programs offered by non-profits nor of being fully aware of their success stories rooted in the dedication and commitment of volunteers, staff members and the community.

The government should consult with these co-ops and try to measure the safety and sense of pride and participation of their residents.

Recent strategies have stressed the need for inclusion of people with disabilities into the community and workplaces. This approach staves off isolation for disabled Albertans and allows them to get on with living without stigma.

In light of the success of the Creekside, Abby Road and Artspace co-ops, Albertans should ask their MLAs to delay this decision and find out why these models have worked. I’d also like to see the cost efficiencies of these models compared with what the government is imposing.

As Ron Liepert, former health minister, once said, “Non-profits can do for one dollar what the government does for three.”