Courtesy Alberta NDP

By Regan Tate

NDP wants the UCP to expand relief payments

Jan 28, 2023 | 7:00 AM

Medicine Hat, AB–The Alberta NDP wants the provincial government to expand relief payments to Albertans not eligible to receive the money.

“When the UCP said help was on the way they should have said no help is on the way for millions of Albertans,” said Marie Renaud, Alberta NDP Community and Social Services Critic.

Renaud says so many of them Albertans are struggling with the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years.

The UCP’s relief payments gives $600 to families with children, some disabled Albertans and seniors who earn under $180,000.

But millions of Albertans were left out. Based on the UCP’s own estimates, there are currently almost one million disabled Albertans. Only 7.5 per cent of disabled Albertans are on AISH.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

13h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

19h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

The NDP says 36-year-old Tom Genore is one of those being left out of the program. Genore is married with no children. He suffers from Crohn’s disease that often results in stretches where he can only work three to four months out of the year.

“I’m working full time now but the disease is still there and it’s not going away. So although I have what can be at times a very debilitating disability, I am not eligible for AISH because I can work full time,” said Genore.

The NDP also pointed to 22-year-old Madison Norman. Norman and her partner make about $65,000-$75,000 annually. Madison works full time as a receptionist at a law firm while attending university with the goal of attending law school in the future.

“We don’t have any money left at the end of the month to put away for savings or emergencies. Nothing left to pay debts off like tuition or credit. The majority of our income goes to rent, groceries and other monthly bills,” said Norman.

Norman added “it’s disheartening to learn that millions of Albertans have been excluded by the UCP government because we don’t have children yet or don’t fit into a specific category of vulnerability.”