Standing with disabled Albertans in light of the ADAP legislation
A joint statement from the ministry staff and governing boards of McDougall, Ogden, and Red Deer Lake United Churches, standing with disabled Albertans in light of the ADAP legislation:
As Christian church communities seeking to follow the way of Jesus and to reflect the wide, welcoming love of God, we believe every person carries the image of God. People with disabilities are beloved neighbours whose lives hold deep worth. Their wellbeing matters to us. Their security matters to us. Their presence enriches our communities and helps shape our understanding of compassion, justice, and shared life.
The Government of Alberta has now created the Alberta Disability Assistance Program and has announced its plans to move almost every current AISH recipient into this new program in 2026. To remain on AISH, people will need to reapply under new medical and administrative rules. ADAP provides a lower monthly income. It reduces the amount people can earn before their benefits begin to decline. It also shifts key protections, including appeals and cost of living adjustments, into regulations that can be changed with little notice. These decisions place many disabled Albertans at greater financial risk and increase the strain already felt in daily life.
Our concern grows from the stories we hear from people in our congregations and wider community. Many already face difficult choices between food, medication, and rent. Many live with chronic pain, mental health challenges, or episodic conditions that make work unpredictable or impossible. Many are carrying fear about what these policy changes will mean for their stability. These conversations shape our prayers, guide our pastoral care, and remind us that the call to love our neighbour includes a commitment to their safety and dignity.
Within the Christian tradition, care for people who are vulnerable is not optional. The prophets spoke with urgency when injustice threatened the wellbeing of the community. Jesus met people in their struggle and treated them with honour. The early church shared its resources so that everyone could live with enough. These teachings and stories guide us toward public witness that affirms the dignity of disabled people and speaks plainly when policies cause harm.
For these reasons, we express our disappointment with - and firm opposition to - the transition from AISH to ADAP in its current form. We stand with disabled Albertans, with advocates, and with community partners who are calling for income support that reflects the real cost of living, offers accessible and fair appeal processes, and protects people from falling deeper into poverty.
As a ministry team, we will continue to listen. We will continue to advocate. We will continue to walk with those who feel anxious or unseen in this moment of change. We affirm that every person deserves stability, belonging, and care within the communities they call home.
If you are personally affected by these changes and feel overwhelmed, please reach out. You are not alone. Our congregation sees you. We value you. We will walk with you in faith, solidarity, and hope.