Re: "Social services funds 'worrisome,'" The Gazette, March 2.
I was disappointed to read significant amounts of misinformation in this article relating to Budget 2022.
Budget 2022 demonstrates that Community and Social Services not only maintained core funding of $3.949 billion to support programs functioning as a social safety net for vulnerable Albertans, but also increased funding of $36 million to empower Albertans to reach their full potentials through employment. Budget 2021 invested $3.914 billion.
While federal relief programs led to fewer than expected applications to the Income Support program during the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to stress the Income Support program remains fully funded as a legislated program and all eligible Albertans will continue to receive benefits at the established rates.
Budget 2022 ensures Community and Social Services programs remain fully funded, including the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program, Income and Employment Support, Disability Services, and help for people experiencing homelessness or fleeing violence.
The Career and Employment Services budget is $106 million, an increase of almost $34 million from Budget 2021.
Budget 2022 also includes $30 million over two years to address barriers to employment as part of Alberta at Work. Alberta’s government expects this investment will help about 10,000 new and existing clients gain employment and ultimately reduce the amount of time they are on income support programs.
Additionally, $15 million over three years through Alberta at Work will create a new non-repayable support to low-income students in qualified high-demand programs.
The Disability Services budget is $1.4 billion, an increase of $61 million, or 4.5 per cent from Budget 2021. Increases are mainly to fund caseload-related pressures in the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) and Family Support for Children with Disability (FSCD) programs.
We are also investing $1.2 million for sexual assault services, completing the Alberta’s government three-year commitment to increase funding for sexual assault services by $3.5 million over three years.
We are continuing to invest in families and communities, as well as our partners in civil society, to help ensure Albertans have access to the supports they need.
Hon. Jason Luan, Minister of Community and Social Services
