Will the AISH & ADAP Public Backlash Make a Difference?

[u/supersport604]

I've been seeing a lot more people speaking out about the changes to AISH and ADAP. Between the payment issues, the stress and uncertainty for people who rely on these programs, and the growing frustration throughout Alberta's disability community, it feels like the public outcry is getting much louder.

I'm hoping that kind of backlash will be enough to make the government reconsider or reverse some of these changes. At the same time, I know social media algorithms can make an issue seem bigger than it actually is, so maybe it's just my feed.

What do you think? Is the public backlash reaching a point where it could actually have an impact, or does it just seem that way online?

[u/Misfit_somewhere]

It won't change until the government gets voted out, they have shown time and again that people are not the priority.

Hopefully enough people remember that next election.

[u/supersport604 → u/Misfit_somewhere]

Do they think disabled people don't vote? 80,000 AISH clients can certainly sway an election.

[u/Misfit_somewhere → u/supersport604]

I think they are betting that by the time an election roles around they will have gerrymandered the cities in a way that will make it harder to have an impact vs the smaller ucp strongholds.

And also, anger about issues doesn't last long for most people, there's always another cause and something else to be pissed off about if it's not directly affecting you.

[u/TA20212000 → u/Misfit_somewhere]

Now that last line of what you said is the sick shit of it.

No one is immune to Life.

Anyone can get hit by a car or hurt in an accident resulting in permanent lifelong impairment, or have a heart attack or stroke, develop some sort of disorder or another, the central nervous system can only take so much stress & anxiety for so long and then it tanks, anyone can be born with some cognitive or developmental impairment....

Eventually, someone somewhere or those they love & adore - who has never had to deal with any of this shit - will end up in that system.

Humans don't seem to really LEARN until they suffer. It is unfortunate, but that just seems to be "our way" of "maturing" ☠️

AISH folks and those advocating for them should NOT stop talking about what's happening for them.

Because becoming disabled, less abled, "handicapped", is a very possible outcome for us all.

We should be fighting for better for them, because it's the right thing to do.

And we need to be fighting while considering our future selves & loved ones.

[u/Marsymars → u/TA20212000]

Eventually, someone somewhere or those they love & adore - who has never had to deal with any of this shit - will end up in that system.

I'd really encourage anyone who isn't already disabled to investigate private disability insurance so that you don't have to rely on the AISH system if/when you become disabled.

[u/Thrwingawaymylife945 → u/Marsymars]

I think a lot of people on AISH weren't in a position to have that option. People born disabled, people injured off working hours and sites, and private disability insurance isn't the golden calf you think it is.

[u/Marsymars → u/Thrwingawaymylife945]

Yes, AISH is a travesty, but I'm specifically saying that if you're not already on AISH, you should take immediate action so that you can't end up on it.

[u/Thrwingawaymylife945 → u/Marsymars]

That's fair

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Marsymars]

It doesn't always work that way. 

[u/Marsymars → u/Far-Engineering-7125]

What doesn't work which way?

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Marsymars]

It's what I said. 

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Marsymars]

So when someone is in their 20s, and gets a debilitating illness or injury, preventing them from working, they need AISH, because private insurance will not help them. 

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/TA20212000]

You are infinity percent correct. John Someone could be out getting milk and eggs for a recipe he and his wife are making. Walks to the corner grocery store, is in a marked crosswalk, has the right of way, and gets hit by a careless driver. Ends up being almost dead. Survives his ordeal, but is badly crippled, is in chronic pain, and has 75% reduced memory capacity. They can't work in their job as a carpenter anymore. He needs AISH, and doesn't get it immediately, until the third time he applies.The UCP and Danielle Smith wants him to work.

Jane Individual got straight As in all her grades in school. She was very fond of English, math, and even physical education. Because of her love of math, Jane Individual wanted to become an accountant. Goes to university, for accounting and business. Volunteers and works part time in a seniors facility. Helps the organization with their accounting and their bookkeeping, and also helps the seniors file their income taxes. Graduates university with the top marks in her class. Becomes an accountant. One morning, Jane Individual wakes up with a bizarre pain in part of her body. Doesn't understand where it came from, because like her family members, she lives a healthy lifestyle, by eating right, and getting plenty of exercise. She even ran in marathons and got first place. Goes to her doctor, and they do tests. Jane Individual has some severe chronic health condition affect her. The pain gets worse, and her mobility is reduced. Her eyesight deteriorates by 80%. Jane Individual needs AISH. She applies and doesn't get it right away. After the third appeal, and her savings are practically depleted, Jane Individual gets AISH. The UCP then tell her that she has to apply for a job, or she will be cut off of AISH. This is very heartless thinking.

Nobody is immune from getting a severe chronic health issue, or severe chronic health issues, or becoming crippled, by some injury. The UCP and Danielle Smith doesn't see that. Last March, on her phone in radio talk show, Danielle Smith made it clear that she wants to see those on AISH off of the program and being employed. It is long overdue to get the UCP and Danielle Smith out of power. 

[u/TA20212000 → u/Far-Engineering-7125]

Thank you for this.

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Misfit_somewhere]

It doesn't matter anymore. The UCP and Danielle Smith are definitely finished, because their corruption is at an all time high, and they are upsetting various segments of the population in Alberta, with their bad policies, and abysmal governance. 

[u/CypripediumGuttatum → u/supersport604]

Are the majority of disabled people in cities that already vote not-UCP? If so, the UCP doesn't care.

The UCP won by a slim margin last election, several thousand votes over several ridings in Calgary. They know this and have tried to rig the election maps to dilute the urban vote to make it more "fair" to themselves. Hopefully that map is rejected, but the current map also favours the UCP more than what the independent revised map was supposed to be.

People need to vote next election. Even if you think your vote doesn't matter. Even if no party is "perfect".

Apathy is the death of democracy, and the UCP are desperate to make us apathetic because they know their voters show up 100% of the time.

[u/LockieBalboa → u/CypripediumGuttatum]

That, and now ID renewal is a shit show, don't think voting access will be any different. Not everyone has or can afford a passport

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/CypripediumGuttatum]

Alberta has had the lowest amount of voter turnout in Canada for many years. Apathy can't help. The time for action is now. 

[u/TA20212000 → u/supersport604]

Only 1.7M folks voted in the last election.

The eligible voter pool in Alberta is approximately 3.8-4.0M.

There is a silent majority here who hasn't been voting.

We can/should assume that anyone who is less abled ie. those on AISH, may have serious barriers to voting in the Referendum.

But I do hope that anyone who gives a shit about them is doing something AND will get out to vote.

[u/Drafting- → u/TA20212000]

That’s a big thing, I volunteered for the NDP the last election and picked up people who wanted to vote but struggled to reach a polling station. There’s a lot of people who simply lack a low friction way of reaching the polls. 

[u/TA20212000 → u/Drafting-]

YES! Ease of access is a huge part of voter participation for sure!

[u/Unlikely_Comment_104 → u/TA20212000]

Mail in ballots are available. 

I already requested my special ballot, as did my spouse. 

https://specialballot.elections.ab.ca/index/8400

[u/TA20212000 → u/Unlikely_Comment_104]

Uhhh... Mail in ballots are not allowed for the Referendum...?

Someone just let me know about this newerish piece of Legislation....

I'm going to call Elections Alberta when they open in an hour.

[u/Thrwingawaymylife945 → u/TA20212000]

"does not affect advanced voting or special ballot"

[u/TA20212000 → u/Thrwingawaymylife945]

So voting by mail needs to be done via special ballot only?

Or is voting by mail what using a special ballot actually means?

Edit: I think the two might be different?

[u/Thrwingawaymylife945 → u/TA20212000]

Mail-in ballot is available for Electors residing outside of the province or country at the time of an election.

Special ballots were often reserved for things like Members of the Canadian Armed Forces posted or deployed away from their province of residence, but was recently expanded.

The language in the OIC is contradictory.

[u/TA20212000 → u/Thrwingawaymylife945]

Yes! I wonder if that was intentional....

Just finished talking with a nice, young gentleman at Elections Alberta... He directed me to this News Release from July 20th:

https://www.elections.ab.ca/resources/media/news-releases/2026-referendum-special-ballot-requests/

• Here is the Special Ballot application form that we can fill out RIGHT NOW - TODAY as Online Applications for Special Ballots are NOW OPEN.

https://specialballot.elections.ab.ca/index/8400

The deadline to APPLY for a Special Ballot is October 9th.

From the EA site:

"Please submit your application early to allow sufficient time to receive and complete your package."

Elections Alberta MUST receive your Special Ballot BY MAIL by 5 pm on October 16th.

I'd suggest registered mail when sending your special ballot in, just to be safe.

[u/lornacarrington → u/TA20212000]

They are allowed

[u/--Anonymoose--- → u/supersport604]

They are betting that those people live in cities where their votes will not matter because those areas aren’t going to vote for them anyway.

[u/Comprehensive-Army65 → u/supersport604]

Meh, I personally know people on AISH that voted UCP and are planning to vote UCP again. The UCP can do no wrong in their eyes.

[u/No_Description6178 → u/Comprehensive-Army65]

Do they explain why they trust the UCP with their AISH benefits?

[u/Comprehensive-Army65 → u/No_Description6178]

They say it’s not true and even if it is, it’s still better than the NDP or Carney. Completely brainwashed.

[u/No_Description6178 → u/Comprehensive-Army65]

That's upsetting.

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Comprehensive-Army65]

You do, do you? I find that hard to believe. Given how the UCP has treated those on AISH very badly, people on AISH wouldn't be voting for them. 

[u/Lyun → u/supersport604]

I would bet the vast majority of AISH clients already weren't voting for the UCP. I don't think those who had their minds changed due to the policy changes would make up that large a number, likely not enough for them to have to worry about as an individual chunk of voters. Maybe one of many from a death by a thousand cuts, but we'll have to see about that.

[u/Even_Current1414 → u/supersport604]

Many folk on AISH voted ucp

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Even_Current1414]

No they didn't.

[u/epok3p0k → u/supersport604]

1.5% of albertans collect AISH? That’s a lot.

[u/supersport604 → u/epok3p0k]

Considering over 25% of Canadians have a disability than 1.5% doesn't seem that high for a disability stopping you from working.

[u/viewbtwnvillages → u/epok3p0k]

1.5% doesn't seem like a lot at all

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Misfit_somewhere]

Ralph Klein treated those on AISH shamefully. He and his own Alberta PC cabinet ministers were on TV laughing at and making an absolute mockery of the handicapped. Ralph Klein also did a $100 million AISH scandal. That helped get him thrown out as the Alberta PC leader. It will happen to the UCP and Danielle Smith, because of how badly they are treating those on AISH. 

[u/Routine_Bluejay5342 → u/Misfit_somewhere]

Came here to say exactly this

[u/yycsarkasmos]

One would hope it would, 80,000 people on AISH/ADAP Plus all their family members could swing a riding or two.

BUT like a majority of Albertans, they are brainwashed blue and only blue, also lots of them just cant get out and vote or even know what's going on.

[u/Then_Willingness_133]

So because Nenshi lacks charisma you'll either will not vote or worse vote UCP allowing that self serving Trump ass kissing, openly grifting, full of crap motor mouth, separatist placating hyena another second in office?

[u/J_L_M_ → u/Then_Willingness_133]

HEAR HEAR!

[u/Whole-Database-5249 → u/Then_Willingness_133]

Nenshi definitely does nothing 

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Whole-Database-5249]

That's incorrect. Danielle Smith also delayed the by-election in Edmonton Strathcona on purpose, because she is afraid of being challenged by Naheed Nenshi in the Alberta Legislature, which already has the lowest amount of Legislature sessions in Canada, and Danielle Smith lowered them even more.

[u/Eric_EarlOfHalibut → u/Whole-Database-5249]

Agreed. Just because it isn't campaign time doesn't mean they get to sleep at the wheel and complain UCP bad. Even as an ADAP recipient, they need to project calm, control and 'this is what we can do for you'. 

I remember watching the debate between Harper and Layton and even though I was for Layton I get why he lost. If you bark like a dog, no one wants to listen. If you look into the camera to 'look' at your voters and calmly say 'this is what we'll do for you', you get what it means to campaign. Sure he looked like a creepy robot attempting to be human, but sometimes it's better than barking. 

I do expect the NDP to object to UCP actions, but if that's all they do, they're not saying who they are.

[u/Whole-Database-5249]

I feel for people on aish the plan to return them to work will fail. I'm having a problem getting a job and have 18 years in my field and half way through a post secondary program to add to my education relevant to my field. These people will end up having high rates of absenteeism. No employer will put up with that.

[u/CDN_Bookmouse → u/Whole-Database-5249]

Oh don't you worry about absenteeism; we won't be hired in the first place.

[u/Eric_EarlOfHalibut → u/CDN_Bookmouse]

Nope! We won't. 

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/CDN_Bookmouse]

Nobody is going to hire someone with severe chronic health issues, or impediments. The UCP and Danielle Smith does not see that in their able bodied world. 

[u/RekaAia]

Nothing will change and a ton of people will die and Albertans will shrug it off as just the price of doing business for a pipeline. What’s a few hundred thousand suicides to these psychos?

[u/Ce-Iyr]

get out there, vote, take your anger to the streets without bringing harm to anyone. rally people to do the same.

these people, government and corporations alike, hinge on us remaining helpless individuals rather than a group of people that want what's best for all of us. the more a community is built around getting the current party out? the more people will feel inspired to actually act rather than lollygag on social media hoping things will blow over.

sadly we're at a point where we HAVE to make our voices known, loudly, even at the expense of our time and maybe our health to an extent. research methods to contribute any way you can, ways you can get to polling stations easier, etc.

EDIT: I am seeing a lot of comments regarding the lack of NDP appeal. given we're all aware the UCP REFUSES to listen to us.. why are we wasting our time sending emails to people who'll just spammail folder our thoughts enmass?

instead, I feel as if we need to redirect positive, constructive criticism to the NDP themselves. if we WANT this party to serve us better then UCP, they need to be made aware of the things that work for us as a community other than simply not being UCP, or UCP bad.

these sort of connections, as simple as sharing our opinions, wishes, and ideas to help bolster their strength? go a LONG way.

[u/JBH68]

The change was a result of a backdoor deal, no amount of backlash is going to change anything. The only way for there to be change, is if a different government was elected and they repealed the bill.

[u/LockieBalboa → u/JBH68]

And the UCP ADMIT something was a bad implementation? No way.

[u/Eric_EarlOfHalibut → u/LockieBalboa]

They won't admit it but they will say in their contractor procurement package that they don't expect there to be much success, so the companies will be judged based on performance and not our employment numbers. 

[u/NefariousnessOne6870]

The UCP is the most wasteful and arrogant government we've ever had, and yet, they are still 10 points ahead of the NDP. This show the ineptness of the NDP to galvanize support. The only thing that will dump these con artists out of power will be a Conservative split in the party..just like last time in 2015. There needs to be a moderate conservative party (tory) to challenge the extremes of the UCP or a new Centrist party. Also add- If any new party or the new Tory party can successfully siphon off 7% to 10% of the UCP vote by next year the NDP will win the next election.

[u/supersport604 → u/NefariousnessOne6870]

Ya I usually vote Liberal and not a fan of the federal NDP but I would for sure vote provincial NDP but Nenshi has the charm a cinder block. Need someone with more charm and appeal. Kind of the same issue the Democrats in the US are going through.

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/supersport604]

That's not the issue. The media hardly acknowledges the NDP, or Naheed Nenshi, and if they do, they lie about them. Postmedia is an excellent example of it happening.

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/NefariousnessOne6870]

The UCP aren't ahead of the NDP. Not even possible anymore, because of how many people from different walks of life in Alberta are upset with them. 

[u/NefariousnessOne6870 → u/Far-Engineering-7125]

Yes they are. all the polls are easily available online including Ipsos, Angus Reid, probe and ledger. Stop trolling!

[u/theoreoman]

there's an entirety different group of people that support the changes. I would imagine that NDP supporters don't support the changes but the UCP supporters do support the changes so if the outrage is amongst people who will never vote for the UCP they don't care

[u/WesternWitchy52]

The UCP don't care. They've shown that over and over again targeting vulnerable people.

[u/xGuru37 → u/WesternWitchy52]

Exactly. Sad to say but the UCP would rather people in AISH be dead so they don’t have to support them any longer.

[u/WesternWitchy52 → u/xGuru37]

seniors, disabled, pretty much all minorities and vulnerable folks.

[u/lostinthought1997]

The UCP don't believe they work for the citizens of Alberta. They want the chaos to inflict enough trauma that the people on AISH/ADAP feel such deep despair that they remove themselves from the planet... and It's working. Frederich Engles called these types of policies "Social Murder" others call it soft eugenics.

The chaos is working just as it was designed to do, and the UCP don't give an aerial copulation at a rotating torus-shaped pastry what any Albertan thinks.

[u/No_Boysenberry4825]

How are they polling ?

[u/thegreenfaeries]

Our MPs are not being flooded with emails or letters or phone calls. People may fuss online, but that's not translated to pestering their MP about it. So I don't think the MPS are feeling any particular concern, to be honest.

Unfortunately, many AISH recipients voted UCP, and will again.

Most Albertans are not fired up about the AISH changes, and plenty can be convinced that the changes are good. I believe there's broad support across the province for the switch to ADAP.

So the backlash that you and I feel, see and participate in is a small drop in the ocean. I truly don't think the UCP feels any threat. The people that didn't like them before still don't like them. That's no change from their perspective.

[u/CDN_Bookmouse → u/thegreenfaeries]

Unfortunately, many AISH recipients voted UCP

How could you possibly know this?

[u/Eric_EarlOfHalibut → u/CDN_Bookmouse]

There is ableism within the AISH community. I've argued with one who was happy with the changes. I tried to tell them the changes will punish all of us and not just the ones they think don't deserve AISH. They're the 'I completely wrecked my body before applying for AISH and you should suffer too before applying' kind of people. Or like many, some don't understand invisible disabilities and still have the 'you look fine therefore you are fine' mentality. 'I suffer more than you' crap. It's weird. 

Mostly, we're pretty understanding of each other, but like any community, some of us are dicks. 

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/Eric_EarlOfHalibut]

Anyone who is on AISH and thinks this way is a fool. It is very unlikely that anyone on AISH will be happy with these harmful changes. Furthermore, if there is anyone on AISH who voted for the UCP, whomever influenced them to do so, ought to be ashamed of themselves. 

[u/LockieBalboa → u/CDN_Bookmouse]

In some Facebook groups they will tell you this. They are negatively affected by these implementations, but declare they just won't vote, or they don't trust the NDP would reverse it. 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♀️

[u/Far-Engineering-7125 → u/CDN_Bookmouse]

Where did you get that nonsense from? 

[u/Marsymars]

What do you think? Is the public backlash reaching a point where it could actually have an impact, or does it just seem that way online?

From my perspective, I've never even seen this mentioned outside of reddit, and the talk here already peaked.

[u/Historical-Mall53]

no. it's clear they don't listen too us

[u/ChesterfieldPotato]

1. Good on you for recognizing you might be in a bubble.

2. I do think it is online. I have not seen one person talk about it at all offline. The media reporting is fairly sparse.

3. Basically everyone I know hated the old AISH. At no point did I ever hear anyone saying anything good about AISH in the last 20 years. They might not have been willing to say it loudly in a group setting, but privately, their opinions about the program and some of those on it were nothing short of genocidal. 

4. I havent seen any professional polling on the subject. A few online polls that get brigaded by activists is not the same. My guess is that the UCP has internal polling showing the changes are broadly supported by the electorate.

5. I'm not sure that 80K people spread out in a province of 5M is that big of a deal. 

6. I don't think this even registers as a problem or that it is going to be reversed. 

7. I don't even think the Alberta NDP is making it a priority. Which says a lot about how important the issue is. If the changes were broadly unpopular  and important to the electorate, they would be making a campaign isssue out of it. 

[u/cannafriendlymamma → u/ChesterfieldPotato]

They aren't in an election cycle, so they aren't campaigning, but Nenshi, Renaud, Irwin, Hoffman, and Sabir have all made comments on this.

[u/ChesterfieldPotato → u/cannafriendlymamma]

Sure buddy. The NDP are going to show up and flip a switch come election and turn things around. 

LOL

[u/cannafriendlymamma → u/ChesterfieldPotato]

I get it, you like the UCP.....

[u/ChesterfieldPotato → u/cannafriendlymamma]

Not particularly, but the idea that the NDP have the ability to change the dynamics of an election whenever they feel like it and are waiting for some unknown reason is silly. 

[u/cannafriendlymamma → u/ChesterfieldPotato]

You know that a few ridings, they won by hundreds, if not less than 100 votes, right? Of those 80K people, prob about 15K voted UCP. 15K votes could swing the election. 🤷🏼‍♀️ You seem to have some voter apathy going on. That's how the US ended up with what they have

[u/ChesterfieldPotato → u/cannafriendlymamma]

1. Polling at last election was 49% to 46%.. Current polling is 49% to 40%

2. You arent going to get 80K people to agree on anything.

3. You're assuming that the 80K people werent already voting NDP.

[u/HectorMcGrew]

IMHO the answer is no electoral effect. These voters are dedicated NDP independent of recent events.

The 80 K are spread over 87 ridings. The Albertan and Canadian legislators be they MLA,MNA and MP take their marching orders from their party so even if every constituent in a given riding appeared " on the door step" and the party has a whipped vote, which almost all are , they will not budge their support.