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By Ian Gustafson

ADAP and AISH

Red Deer city councillor brings forward notice of motion seeking pause on disability program

Mar 24, 2026 | 7:07 PM

A Red Deer city councillor brought forward a notice of motion asking for Mayor Cindy Jefferies to advocate for the provincial government to pause the recent changes to the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP).

Councillor Cassandra Curtis brought forward the notice of motion during Tuesday’s regular council meeting, which will be brought back on April 15 for council to discuss.

The motion also calls for “the Government of Alberta to undertake meaningful, accessible consultation with persons with disabilities, advocacy organizations, and community partners, including medical professionals.”

As well, it calls for the province to publicly report on the social and economic impacts of these changes before moving forward.

Further to the motion, the City of Red Deer supports community well-being and has a vested interest in ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive adequate financial support from other orders of government that lifts the recipients out of poverty and does not create new barriers to pursuing employment.

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The motion states Red Deerians are concerned about amendments to AISH that were legislated in the passing of Bill 12, Financial Statutes Amendment Act, on Dec. 9, 2025.

The concerns, according to the motion, are around a lack of definitions about employability and the fact that there is no right to appeal placement on ADAP. There is also a concern that benefits can be changed by regulation while regulations have not yet been created.

In addition, Bill 12 revokes a requirement that the provincial government increase benefits on an annual basis as part of cost-of-living adjustments.

According to information released by the provincial government earlier this month, the province says the ADAP is being designed based on the input of Albertans with disabilities.

The Ministry added that multiple decisions have been made as a result of the feedback.

This includes, as per the Government of Alberta:

1. Increasing the employment income exemption for single clients on ADAP to $700 per month:
   • This means individuals on ADAP will be able to earn up to $700 per month before it begins to affect financial benefits.
   • Albertans on ADAP will be able to earn more than $45,000 in employment income while continuing to receive financial benefits. This will be the highest limit for employment income while receiving financial benefits of any comparable disability income assistance program in Canada.
   • Albertans on ADAP will continue to receive the health benefits they need, regardless of employment income.
   • Detailed calculations for ADAP employment income exemptions will be set out in a ministerial order later this spring.
2. Current AISH clients who meet one or more of the below criteria will automatically remain on AISH, unless they choose to transition to ADAP to benefit from ADAP’s higher employment income exemptions:
   • individuals with a severe and profound developmental disability, and/or who are deemed eligible for or are receiving Persons with Developmental Disabilities services 
   • individuals with palliative or terminal medical conditions
   • individuals living in continuing care homes
   • individuals 60 years of age or older
3. Alberta’s government will cover the cost of one medical assessment for current AISH clients who transition to ADAP on July 1 and later choose to be reassessed for AISH.
   • This support is not time-limited and will be available whenever clients choose to access it.

The government says the ADAP will empower Albertans with disabilities to pursue meaningful employment while continuing to receive the supports they need.

The ADAP is scheduled to launch on July 1, 2026.