Alberta Social Assistance Reform Survey

#3

COMPLETE
Collector: Alberta Social Assistance (Web Link)
Started: Monday, April 27, 2015 11:30:41 PM
Last Modified: Monday, April 27, 2015 11:36:07 PM
Time Spent: 00:05:25
IP Address: 204.191.181.94

PAGE 1: Social Assistance Reform for Provincial Candidates 2015

Q1: The cost of living in Alberta increases each

year. In the past, the AISH living allowance has not
kept up with inflation.The CAN Poverty Reduction
Group recommends the AISH living allowance base
should be increased yearly in accordance with the
increase in the cost of living (inflation) in Alberta.
Does your party support calculating AISH on the
current cost of living in Alberta and indexing AISH
living amount to keep up with inflation?

Yes,

Q2: A basic income guarantee (BIG) ensures

everyone an income sufficient to meet basic needs
and live with dignity, regardless of work status.
Does your party support a basic income or
guaranteed annual income for all Albertans?

Yes,

Q3: Does your party plan to review social

assistance programs like AISH and Alberta Works to
ensure the base amount is enough for Albertans to
survive and not be left behind?

Yes,

Q4: The Alberta Disabilities Forum recommends the

AISH application process should be simplified. The
30-day appeal period for AISH should be extended
to 60 days as 30 days is not adequate for many
client groups. A staff person, key contact and/or
number should be available to help people with the
administrative processes of AISH. Does your party
support this recommendation?

Yes,

Q5: The Alberta Disabilities Forum recommends a

permanent body of equal representation from
stakeholders such as elected officials, government
representatives and AISH recipients to advise and
oversee new policies regarding the Assured Income
for the Severely Handicapped Program. Does your
party support this recommendation?

Yes,

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Comment
MLA's have historically had indexed income - why
not the most vulnerable!? And yes base income
on cost of living.

Other (please specify)

Absolutely. Pay people to stay well and you
maximize their wellbeing and save society costs.

Comment
Historic rates are not a proper basis. Market
basket measures and other supports (school fees,
etc) must be considered.

Comment
Full support - some physicians delay visits for 2
months!

Comment
I think we still have what is called 'democracy'!!

Alberta Social Assistance Reform Survey

Q6: Do you have anything else to share with us about social assistance reform?
Poverty costs us about $7B per year. People are our primary resource and keeping them well is the right thing
to do; and it saves money in the long term!
Q7: Please tell us which party you represent and riding, and if possible a way to contact you for more
information. And thank you for completing our survey. We will be sharing your responses with
Alberta Voters.
David Swann MD, MLA Calgary Mountainview

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