Cutting disability supports is cruel
The UCP government is squeezing the people with the least power to push back.
Published Apr 17, 2025 in The Sherwood Park News • 3 minute read
You can tell a lot about a government by how it treats people with disabilities. In Alberta right now, that story is shameful.
Recently, the UCP government quietly announced changes that will reduce disability support for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. These aren’t luxuries being cut — they’re the basics: income support, specialized care, transportation, and services that make it possible for people with disabilities to live with dignity and autonomy.
The impacts will be immediate and severe. Individuals who already navigate daily challenges may find themselves without essential support. Families already stretched to the limit will be asked to do more, with less. Nonprofits and frontline workers will try to pick up the pieces, again, without the proper resources to do so. And all the while, Danielle Smith will say these are necessary savings.
Let’s be clear: these cuts are not inevitable. They are choices that adversely affect our most vulnerable citizens and their families.
Investment in disability support prevents reliance on more acute and costly government systems. It empowers parents to remain in the workforce, and contribute to our communities. Every cut to support persons with disabilities is another rock put on the sled of families who are already carrying more than their fair share.
There is money in Alberta. The government has simply chosen not to use our wealth to invest in the people who need it most. At a time when many Albertans are facing rising costs, this government is squeezing the people with the least power to push back.
But here’s the thing: regular people do have power. And when we show up together — with intention, organized, and unafraid — we can shift the direction of our province.
That’s why I co-hosted a town hall meeting April 17 with MLA Marie Renaud. We want to hear from people in Sherwood Park and the region affected by these budget cuts — people with disabilities as well as caregivers, advocates, and allies. People can share their stories, their ideas, and voice their demands. This is not just about responding to cuts — it’s about building a province that truly values every person and refuses to leave anyone behind.
If we want a reasonable government that reflects compassion, integrity, and common sense, we have to hold our leaders accountable. We must remind them that Albertans care about fairness. That we believe in dignity for all. That we’re watching — and we vote.
This isn’t just about people with disabilities (although it should be enough if it were). It’s about the kind of society we want to live in. One where we support each other. One where we don’t mistreat people when they become inconvenient to a budget line. One where the government is a tool to lift people up, not tear them down.
So let’s push back together. Let’s show up, speak out, and demand better. The overwhelming response to my town hall event makes it clear: Albertans are paying attention, and we will not be silent while our neighbours are pushed aside. Part of being Canadian means looking out for each other — checking in, lending a hand, pulling together in tough times. That spirit of neighbourliness is what makes this country strong, and it’s what we need now more than ever.
Because when we fight for a fairer Alberta, everyone wins.
Kyle Kasawski is the MLA for Sherwood Park. If you have questions about this column or any provincial issues, he would like to hear from you. Find his contact information and event details at kylekasawski.ca.