Canmore Raises Concerns Over Alberta's New Disability Assistance Program

Canmore is urging Alberta to pause the rollout of its new disability-support program, warning some recipients could receive less income under the changes and raising concerns about potential increases in homelessness, housing insecurity and demand for municipal services.

In a May 19 letter made public during the town's June 16 committee meeting, Mayor Sean Krausert urged Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon to pause the rollout of Alberta's disability-support reforms and undertake further consultation with municipalities, service providers, and the disability community.

The province is set to launch the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) in July. The new program is designed to support Albertans with severe disabilities who are able to participate in the workforce, while the existing Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program will continue to support those whose disabilities prevent them from working.

In his letter, Krausert acknowledged the province had already modified some aspects of the transition in response to public concerns, including allowing certain AISH recipients to remain on AISH rather than automatically transferring to ADAP, introducing a temporary $200 monthly transition benefit and increasing monthly earnings exemptions.

"Despite these changes, concerns persist," he wrote. "Lower earnings exemptions under both AISH and ADAP could result in some clients having less total income than under the current AISH system."

The mayor said municipalities are concerned the changes could create unintended consequences, including increased homelessness, emergency-service use and pressure on local social supports.

The concerns come as housing and homelessness pressures continue to mount in the Bow Valley.

Earlier this month, council approved a four-year extension for the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley's emergency winter shelter at Scout Hall after a record 2025-26 season. The shelter served 56 unique individuals and was over capacity on 24 nights, while a regional housing needs assessment identified a need for 45 permanent supportive housing units for people receiving AISH or Persons with Developmental Disabilities supports.

Against that backdrop, the letter asks whether Alberta's labour market is prepared to accommodate a larger number of workers with disabilities and how the province would respond if the changes increase financial instability, housing insecurity or reliance on municipal social supports.

"If municipalities begin to observe downstream impacts, such as increased emergency service use or homelessness, what mechanisms will exist to raise and address those issues with the province?" Krausert wrote.

Krausert said Canmore is one of a growing number of Alberta municipalities raising concerns about the changes and calling for additional consultation before they proceed.

"As such, in addition to our request for a pause, we respectfully request a meeting with municipalities to discuss the un-intended consequences of ADAP’s program implementation," he wrote.

During the June 16 committee of the whole meeting, Coun. Wade Graham voiced support for the mayor's intervention.

"We're seeing real ramifications in the community with regards to this policy and I just want to say thank you," Graham said.

According to the province, approximately 50,000 Albertans are expected to transition to ADAP, while roughly 30,000 current AISH recipients will automatically remain on AISH based on criteria including age, developmental disabilities, terminal or palliative conditions, or residence in continuing-care homes.

The province says ADAP will provide financial assistance, health benefits and employment support to help Albertans with disabilities gain and maintain meaningful employment while continuing to receive support.