Category: Opinions

Alright…
First of all a disclaimer.

I’m pissed and this article will be biased. But the information contained in it is based off of the facts and conversations, meetings and discussions I’ve had with several advocates, agencies, professionals and also those impacted and affected with this subject matter in question. This article is a HUGE “vent” of frustration. But this is “my” opinion. If you disagree, that is your right. You are welcome to it. God gave you that. If you agree, fine. Either way I don’t care.

Because…

Enough is enough.

I’ve had it with all these mother *bleeping* UCP politicians in this mother *bleeping* province.

I Tried to Stay Quiet About This. That Was My First Mistake.

My second was believing when the election happened to give them a chance. Yeah, big mistake. And SO, many lies they said.

So, for the first time out of my own personal moral and ethical character I did a thing.

I stopped being polite. No more miss “Nice Girl” And those who know me will “know” what I’m talking about. Those that don’t, well, I typically keep a lot of opinions such as this private and to myself.

A good, awesome person said that what you post publicly online can be a bad thing. Oh well. I’m fine with this.

See, I stopped trying to be “balanced”. I stopped trying to be the person who says, “Well, let’s just wait and see,” or “maybe it’s more complicated than that,” or “there’s probably a reason behind it.”

HELL No. I’m done.

I’ve spent enough time sitting with this, shutting my mouth, reading through it, waiting and watching how it’s unfolding, and more importantly, watching what it’s doing to people in real time.

And I’m done pretending this is “normal”.

What’s happening with AISH and this “ADAP” bull honkey crap in Alberta is not reform. It is not modernization. It is not a system being “updated for sustainability.”

It is a deliberate restructuring and “engineering” of how support works in this province, and that restructuring has a very clear outcome.

To eliminate supports, push disabled people out and leave more people with disabilities to figure it out on their own.

And it’s being done quietly enough that if you’re not directly affected, you might not even notice.

Let’s Stop Lying About What AISH was and this new ADAP is.

There’s this narrative that keeps floating around, and it needs to die FAST and the crap rhetoric that is spewing from the pie hole we call Premier Danielle Smith and Jason Nixon.

But first I will say this: Yes There are “SOME” people on AISH that maybe should NOT be there that are screwing it for those that “SHOULD” be there. Those are the ones that do need help in other ways but carte blanching destroying this for  the other  79,000 is WRONG!

But for the windbag of a Premier Smith who says that AISH was somehow generous. That people were comfortable on it. That it was this big, bloated system full of “easy money” and people “flocking” to Alberta to be on our “generous” disability program….

That is complete garbage.

WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND…goes ANYWHERE to be poor or DISABLED!!!

AISH was barely enough to survive on. Around $1,900 a month to cover everything. Rent, food, medications, transportation, basic living, and for a lot of people, additional costs directly tied to their disability.

GET A BRAIN SMITH!

You weren’t thriving. You weren’t saving. You weren’t building a future.

You were staying afloat. And even then, barely.

But it had something that mattered more than the dollar amount.

It had a sliver of flexibility. Quality of Life! Do you know what “quality of life” is Smith?

You could earn a bit without being punished immediately. You could try to work, try to contribute, try to feel like you still had some control over your life without risking everything collapsing the second you made an effort.

That mattered. Not just financially. Mentally. Emotionally.

It gave people DIGNITY.

And that’s exactly what is being stripped out.

You Are No Longer Trying to Survive.

This is where things shift from “policy” into lived reality. Because now, every decision becomes a calculation.

Can I take this shift?
Can I accept this contract?
Can I earn this extra money without triggering something I can’t undo?

You’re no longer trying to improve your situation.
You’re trying not to accidentally destroy it.

And that changes how people live. It creates fear around working.

Fear around earning. Fear around trying. Fear of existing.

Which is the exact opposite of what a “support system” is supposed to do.

The Most Dangerous Part Is the Assumption Behind It…

Everything about ADAP rests on one core assumption.

That people with disabilities can work: Consistently. Reliably. Sustainably.

And that assumption is so disconnected from reality that it would almost be funny if it wasn’t so damaging.

Because disability is not consistent.

You don’t wake up every day with the same energy. The same focus. The same physical ability. The same mental clarity.

Some days you function.
Some days you don’t.
Some days you can push through.
Some days pushing through makes things worse.
Some people can work part-time.
Some can work occasionally.
Some cannot work at all.

And if your like me…some days you want to lock yourself in a dark place without the light, sound and under weighted blanks so you don’t go nuts and crazy.

But a great many of people exist in that unpredictable middle space where consistency itself is impossible.

But the system doesn’t recognize that. It ignores it. Like many ignorant Right Wing UCP politicians and the Alberta government does.

The Alberta Government’s Attack on the Most Vulnerable and how ADAP and the Destruction of AISH Are Leading Alberta Toward Greater Poverty and Inequality

The Alberta government, led by Premier Danielle Smith, Jason Nixon and the United Conservative Party (UCP), is engineering a super dangerous and insidious new program called the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which threatens to dismantle AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped)—one of the few lifelines left for Alberta’s most vulnerable citizens. What is truly appalling about this new initiative is that it is built upon greed, a cruel political agenda, and an ideological drive to increase poverty among already marginalized communities. Through a combination of policy manipulation, cuts, and calculated deceit, the UCP government is actively pushing a dangerous agenda designed to harm people who are already incapable of supporting themselves—people who need more support, not less.

Let us examine the policies, the devastating consequences, and the broader political context behind ADAP, AISH, and the UCP’s deliberate and systematic dismantling of a program that has been a critical support for individuals living with disabilities for decades.

ADAP: The most Dangerous New Program the Alberta government ever created.

The Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) is a destructive “new” initiative being introduced by the UCP government that ostensibly seeks to replace AISH, the program that has provided disability assistance to Alberta’s most vulnerable population for years. However, ADAP is not a replacement—it is a program engineered to cut benefits, restrict access, and ultimately force people with disabilities into deeper poverty. The catch is subtle but profoundly damaging: the cutoff for ADAP is $45,000—and when individuals reach this threshold, they will be removed from the program, with their social assistance, work income, low housing income, and other supports all folded into that figure.

The $45,000 cutoff seems deceptively generous at first glance, but the reality is much more dire. Once someone hits this limit, they will be cut off entirely from assistance. And while it might sound like $45,000 is a reasonable amount to live on, the truth is that most people who are receiving ADAP or AISH have serious permanent, life long disabilities that will not get better, that prevent them from securing consistent or well-paying work. The income from work alone is simply not enough to survive—especially without the vital support programs that once helped to cover the many costs associated with living with a disability. On top of that, almost every employer discriminates against disabled individuals due to liability, cost of WCB claims, loss of business income, and more…(more about that later).

For those who depend on AISH, the new ADAP program would leave them with no choice but to rely solely on work income, which in many cases, is meager at best. Without the housing, food, and social supports previously guaranteed, these individuals will be left struggling to survive, forced into deeper cycles of poverty and suffering. In many instances, the changes will push people to the brink of homelessness, unable to secure the necessary financial support they once had access to, and ultimately leaving them in situations where they can’t work enough to survive and don’t have enough help to live with dignity.

AISH: The UCP’s Dismantling of a Lifeline

AISH was not perfect, but it was an essential program designed to assist those who face severe physical and mental disabilities. It provided much-needed financial support for people who had no other means of generating income, helping them pay for rent, food, medical expenses, and other basic necessities. But under the UCP’s leadership, AISH is being effectively dismantled under the guise of “reform.” These “reforms” are a direct assault on the people who rely most on this assistance—people who cannot help themselves due to the nature of their disabilities.

By introducing the ADAP, the UCP is covertly eroding AISH by creating a convoluted set of rules that makes it nearly impossible for many individuals to qualify for assistance. Even if someone is currently receiving AISH, the shift toward ADAP could lead to them losing their benefits altogether as soon as their combined income hits $45,000—a limit that includes not only their work income but also the meager additional support they receive. For a person living with a severe disability, the loss of these funds can be catastrophic.

The consequences of this policy are clear. People with disabilities will be forced to live without any support. Many will find themselves in an impossible position where they have to decide between living in extreme poverty, potentially losing their homes, or having to work in jobs that simply cannot sustain them. The UCP’s actions are not just a matter of policy; they are a cruel attack on the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.

The Hidden Trap: How the $45,000 Cutoff Is Designed to Fail

The most insidious part of this entire program is that the $45,000 cutoff is not just a cap on earnings; it’s a trap that makes it nearly impossible for individuals to remain self-sufficient. It sounds like a reasonable threshold at first, but it’s part of a larger strategy to create a disincentive to earn—one that forces people into difficult, lower-wage jobs, only to see their support systems ripped away. This cutoff doesn’t take into account the high costs associated with living with a disability, such as medical expenses, special equipment, transportation needs, and housing. Not to mention, inflation, no rental caps, no accessibility protections, rural situations, discrimination, all that can lead to homelessness, no supports or even death and suicide.

Many people on ADAP or AISH may already have some form of part-time or flexible work schedules, as their disabilities prevent them from working full-time. But the new rules mean that every dollar earned counts against them, putting their ability to earn a decent wage in jeopardy. Once they reach the threshold, they lose everything, and they are left with no recourse. There is no appeal process, no opportunity to contest the decision, and no safety net to fall back on.

This creates an environment where people are forced to fail. Rather than empowering those with disabilities to live dignified lives, the UCP is creating conditions where failure is almost guaranteed.

The Transition from AISH to ADAP: A Disturbing and Dangerous Shift

The transition from AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) is not simply a bureaucratic shuffle; it’s an orchestrated move that will disadvantage the most vulnerable members of Alberta’s population. The changes in eligibility criteria, the reduction of benefits, and the elimination of income exemptions will force those with disabilities into an untenable position where their very ability to survive is compromised.

AISH Recipients: The Final Safety Net for the Truly Incapacitated

AISH, for all its flaws, has been one of the few lifelines available to individuals with severe disabilities—those who are physically unable, cognitively impaired, or so severely ill that they cannot work, contribute meaningfully to society in a traditional sense, or even meet their own basic needs. Under the current system, individuals receiving AISH are provided a monthly stipend of up to $1941, which, while insufficient for most people, is at least at bare minimum, allowed them to live with a modicum of dignity and stability. Moreover, AISH recipients were allowed to earn up to $1072 per month as an additional income source without it affecting their benefits. This income exemption meant that some could find meaningful work, contribute to their community in small ways, and, crucially, maintain a sense of self-worth. And most, never even hit that exemption limit.

However, under the new system, AISH recipients will no longer be allowed any additional sources of income. This means that individuals who are incapable of working, infirm, or even on their deathbed will receive the maximum benefit of $1941 but will have no means of supplementing this amount. In the face of rising costs of living and inflation, additional costs of supports, medications not covered, the list goes on…, this amount is far from enough to sustain anyone, let alone those with severe disabilities who often require additional medical care, equipment, and housing accommodations, and many who may not have friends or family to assist.

Moreover, these individuals will still face clawbacks of any federal benefits they might receive, such as the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). The CDB was intended to provide additional financial relief to those with disabilities across Canada, but instead of enhancing the financial well-being of these individuals, the UCP government is ensuring that any extra federal assistance is clawed back—funds that should go to the disabled are being funnelled back into the provincial budget. There is no exemption or allowance for the basic human right of individuals to live above the poverty line, let alone find meaningful ways to exist with some degree of autonomy and self-sufficiency.

In effect, the transition from AISH to ADAP is a devastating step backward for the disabled community, stripping them of their autonomy, dignity, and the chance to participate in society on their own terms. The government is pushing them into deeper poverty, isolating them further and ensuring that they are completely dependent on a system that offers no real opportunities for growth or improvement.

ADAP Recipients: The Illusion of Independence and Workability

In stark contrast to AISH, the ADAP program operates under the assumption that all recipients are fully capable of working, regardless of the severity of their disabilities. The government seems to believe that individuals with physical, cognitive, or mental impairments are somehow fit to work full-time, irrespective of how their disabilities may limit their capacity to do so. The UCP’s assumption that anyone with a disability is capable of entering the workforce in a full-time capacity is not only misguided, it is also deeply disrespectful to those who struggle every day to simply survive.

Under ADAP, individuals who are deemed “capable” by the government (even if they are severely impaired) will be expected to participate in full employment programs. The UCP government has already instituted extensive job training and “retraining” programs that will attempt to reprogram disabled individuals for work in fields they may be physically or mentally unable to pursue. These programs, presented under the euphemism of “wraparound services,” are nothing more than reprogramming centers that will force people into jobs they cannot do and likely will not succeed in.

For many individuals, this will result in failure. These individuals will be forced into new careers, potentially in fields they have no aptitude for, physically may not be capable at doing or forced into situations that will exacerbate their conditions further, and in most cases, will never find a job they are able to keep where most of those employers will either let them go, fire them or force them to quit. The idea of forcing individuals into full-time employment, regardless of their disabilities, is nothing more than a fiscal strategy designed to push people out of the program entirely, increasing poverty and joblessness among the disabled population.

And this is where the government is introducing something called “Wraparound Services” which is just a pretty phrase for pressure. This is where the language starts getting really polished.

Retraining programs. Employment pathways. Wraparound services.

It sounds supportive. It sounds like the system is trying to help people succeed. But look at how it actually functions. You are pushed into programs that expect you to perform in ways your disability may not allow. You are expected to adapt, retrain, shift into roles that may not be sustainable for you. And when it doesn’t work, when you can’t keep up, when your health drops, when your capacity fluctuates…

That failure doesn’t get recognized as a limitation of the system. It gets treated as a limitation of you. And then you lose all supports. For the UCP…it’s either “get with their program, or get nothing.”

Additionally, recipients of ADAP will be forced to seek additional sources of income beyond the assistance they receive. The UCP has mandated that those who are eligible for ADAP must first apply for CPP Disability benefits (a program designed for individuals who are disabled and unable to work), meaning that the UCP is effectively passing the disability buck. They are attempting to take federal disability funds and redirect them into the provincial system, where the government will pocket those funds instead of ensuring they are used for the wellbeing of disabled citizens.

Recipients who are already receiving federal benefits, including the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), will have these payments clawed back. So, while these individuals are being asked to find full-time work despite their severe disabilities, the government is simultaneously seizing any federal assistance that might help them get by. This will undoubtedly drive many people out of the program entirely, pushing them into poverty with no means to support themselves.

The $1741 monthly payment provided to ADAP recipients is eerily similar to the federal CPP-Disability benefit, yet it comes with strings attached. Because the UCP is forcing recipients into full-time employment programs and clawing back additional income sources, these individuals will find themselves pushed over the program’s income threshold, leaving them cut off from any further assistance. The impact of this will be devastating for people who rely on ADAP just to make ends meet.

The Clawbacks are where it stops being defensible. If everything up to this point wasn’t enough, this part removes any illusion that this is about helping people.

Federal benefit programs like the Canada Disability Benefit exist to provide additional support. Hey Smith…”Additional”…Not replacement. Not offset. Additional.

And yet, instead of people actually receiving that help, it gets clawed back. Absorbed into the system. Cancelled out. So the government can say support exists while ensuring it never actually reaches the person it was intended for.

That is not coordination. That is extraction. No wait, extortion.

The UCP’s Master Plan: Engineering People with Disabilities to Fail

The fundamental flaw in the UCP’s approach to ADAP and AISH is their deliberate engineering of failure. By setting unrealistic expectations for individuals with disabilities and stripping them of their financial supports, the government is actively pushing people into circumstances where they cannot succeed. The end goal of these policies is not to help individuals live fulfilling lives or integrate into society; it is to force them into an impossible situation where they will fail, and then use their failure as justification for cutting off their assistance entirely.

The clawbacks of federal benefits, the removal of income exemptions, and the pressure to seek full-time employment will force many individuals out of the program and into situations where they cannot possibly survive. The UCP is ensuring that people with disabilities are set up to fail—not just in terms of work, but also in terms of basic survival.

When You Put It All Together, the Pattern Is Obvious

This is not one change. It’s not even a handful of changes. It’s a coordinated shift in how the system works. Remove income flexibility.

Add hard thresholds. Assume full work capacity. Force participation. Claw back external support. Eliminate fallback options. Every single one of those pushes in the same direction.

Out.

Out of the system. Out of support. Out of visibility. And it doesn’t happen all at once. It happens slowly. Individually. Quietly.

This Is How You Reduce Numbers Without Saying You Did

Because here’s the part nobody wants to say out loud. If you make the system hard enough to stay in, people will leave it. Not because they got better. Because they couldn’t survive inside it. And when they leave, the numbers go down. And when the numbers go down, the system looks more “efficient.”

This isn’t theoretical, isn’t a policy discussion happening in a vacuum.

This is rent, groceries, medication, whether someone can afford to exist next month. This is people sitting at their kitchen tables doing math that doesn’t work no matter how many times they run it or stress that doesn’t turn off.

This is fear that becomes constant.

That’s the trick. That’s how you reduce support without announcing cuts.

An Americanized Alberta: The Dismantling of Social Safety Nets

The parallels between Alberta’s shift in disability assistance and the broader American model of dismantling social safety nets are striking. In the United States, programs designed to support people with disabilities are often underfunded, stigmatized, and deliberately constructed to create barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the help they need. The UCP’s dismantling of AISH and implementation of ADAP mirrors this pattern: instead of creating an inclusive and compassionate system that helps people with disabilities, the government is creating an environment that pushes these individuals into greater poverty and fails to meet their needs.

(I wonder where the UCP got their idea’s from…eh Smith)

The UCP’s alignment with extreme far-right ideologies, especially with figures like Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, Ron DeSantis, signals a clear intent to adopt American-style policies that benefit the rich while punishing the poor and marginalized. Just as the American political system has failed its disabled population, Alberta under the UCP is following suit—trading human rights for financial gain and corporate profits. The UCP are aligning their policies to follow suits like Mississippi (Ranks poorly in access to special services for children, educational support, and has high rates of bullying related to health conditions, Alabama (Consistently ranks among the lowest for employment opportunities and healthcare for people with disabilities) and Utah (As of 2024, Utah has the lowest SSDI approval rate, making it the hardest state to get benefits) and more so Texas (Alberta’s US Sister state/and the aforementioned above: were noted for legal actions threatening Section 504 and community integration rights for people with disabilities. (read more…)

So Yeah. I Took a Side

I’m not neutral on this anymore. I don’t think this is “just policy.” I don’t think this is “complicated but necessary.” I think this is a system being redesigned to push people out of it. And I think pretending otherwise is part of the problem.

The actions of the UCP government are not just politically harmful; they are morally reprehensible and ethically unjustifiable. The disenfranchisement of disabled Albertans is a betrayal of the most vulnerable in our society. It is a deliberate act of cruelty to push people who already suffer from severe disabilities into even greater hardship, stripping them of their dignity, their livelihood, and their ability to participate meaningfully in society. It lacks the protection of disabled youth, families, seniors, persons who do not have the executive function to understand whats going on around them. And the UCP is taking advantage of that naïveté.

As Albertans, we must stand in opposition to these policies. We must fight to preserve AISH, and we must reject the destructive framework of ADAP that is designed to leave the disabled population in perpetual poverty. The UCP’s agenda is an attack on democracy, human decency and a rejection of the core values that should guide our society; compassion, equality, and justice.

We must resist these changes before they take root and create a future in which poverty becomes institutionalized and the disabled are condemned to live in misery. The time to act is now. Stand up for the disabled. Stand up for Alberta’s future.

Not just that but stealing federal funds: is a national crisis…

As if dismantling AISH and introducing ADAP weren’t damaging enough, the UCP is also considering steps to “misappropriate” federal funding that is supposed to go directly to disabled individuals. Not just programs such as the Canada Disability Benefit, Food and Grocery Benefit, and others are intended to provide direct relief to those who need it most. But instead of directing these funds to the citizens they are intended for, the UCP has taken to diverting these funds, effectively stealing from vulnerable Albertans to balance the province’s budget or to fund other political priorities.

There are “talks” of taking even more. Income tax refunds, Child Tax Benefits, and more. These essential supports are at risk as the UCP looks to redirect federal funds meant to support people with disabilities into their own pockets. By taking these funds, they are effectively double-punishing already vulnerable people, exacerbating their financial hardships, and making it even harder for them to survive.

Premier Danielle Smith: The Leader Behind This Agenda

Premier Danielle Smith is at the heart of this harmful policy agenda. Smith has long been a proponent of right-wing populism, with a deeply troubling admiration for figures like Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, and Ron DeSantis all of whom share her vision for turning Alberta into a more Americanized, conservative stronghold. Smith has advocated for Alberta’s secession from Canada, secretly dreaming of a future where Alberta is the 51st state of the U.S. Well, let me correct a few things. She at least hasn’t “stopped” the “Alberta Separatist movement” but at the same time, she hasn’t denounced it either, only changing the rules when it suited her best to get it more support. This is the kind of leadership that views social programs as liabilities rather than lifelines. To Smith and her UCP government, people with disabilities are seen as expendable—simply a cost to be cut rather than individuals with inherent worth.

Smith’s obsession with aligning Alberta more closely with harsher conservative U.S. politics has led her to champion policies that are harmful to the most vulnerable. In her eyes, the government is not a caretaker or protector of its people but a force that must cut away any “excess”, and who better to sacrifice than those who already have the least? It is greed masquerading as fiscal responsibility, and it comes at the cost of human lives.

The Global Context: Alberta Following America’s Path

What’s particularly chilling is how the Alberta government is following in the footsteps of the U.S. in dismantling its social safety nets. The U.S. has long been criticized for its inadequate disability support systems, and now, with Alberta adopting a similar approach, by introducing ADAP and cutting the AISH program, the UCP is pushing Alberta down a very dangerous path, one where disabled individuals are abandoned, left to fend for themselves with minimal help and a broken social system.

Alberta is now in the process of creating a two-tier society, one for the rich and healthy, and another for the poor, disabled, and suffering. This polarization will only continue to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots. It’s clear that the UCP is building a future where the poor and disabled are silenced, unable to advocate for themselves, and left to die without support.

The future of Alberta depends on the choices we make today. It is imperative that we resist these harmful policies and demand that the government halt the destruction of programs like AISH. Alberta must become a province that protects the most vulnerable, not one that leaves them behind for the sake of political ideology and corporate greed.

We need a government that values people, not profits. We need a government that listens to the concerns of its citizens, especially the disabled, and ensures that they are not left to suffer in silence. The UCP’s agenda is not just an attack on the disabled, it is an attack on all Albertans who want a prosperous province.

And for those who think people with disabilities are lazy….

We are not.

I have several disabilities. And despite the recommendations from my medial care team (whom I don’t listen to now and then) I do work within my means at a great place. Which now they are trying to tear me away from.

I may struggle with autism (ASD), neurological disorders where I get seizures throughout the day, mobility issues, memory lapses, physical complications, chronic social anxiety (can’t stand being around crowds or people much), many sensory processing disorders, profound complex-PTSD, chronic trauma and…ok the list goes on and well you get my point.

But I make attempts. That is me.

but there are tens of thousands more out there just like me and every situation is unique and different. But we all have disabilities that do prevent us from working. And for me, I’ve been told I “shouldn’t” be working anymore due to my health. 

But that’s the problem. As I said earlier…balance.

To work = to eat, have a roof, medications, transportation…the basic necessities.

To not work = poverty, can’t afford rent, food, transportation, loss of basic necessities.

But here is the thing.

Yes everyone has it hard. Each situation is different and unique. No one person is the same.

But it does take one person to screw up the world for the rest of those who, like me, are doing everything right.

So I am going to finally get this out there as MANY people have finally asked.

Where do I sit “politically”

Well here it is: And I know I will lose friends.

I’m am a Christian. I believe in God. I will say that right now.

But in the grand “scheme of things”

I AM A “POLITICAL ORPHAN”!!!

Ok so what does that mean??

Why I’m a Political “Orphan” (And Why That’s a Good Thing) and how does that fit into what I just wrote…well.

Lately, it feels like I have to pick a ‘team‘ and hate the other one. But when I look at my own values, I don’t fit into a neat little box, (thank God) and I think maybe a lot of you don’t either.

I’m a Christian who believes deeply in ‘love thy neighbour,’ which is why I’m a small part of me is in a way supportive of the “colourful” community and for social equality. Even if there are some aspects that I also don’t agree with. but that’s the thing. I’m in the center of BOTH sides. It’s complex…just like me.

To me, faith and inclusion aren’t at odds; they’re two sides of the same coin.
Economically, I’m a realist. I believe in the free market and the importance of our oil gas industry and yes we DO need to get out oil and stuff to market. Screw the states though lets just refine it here and ship it out. Why do we need to pay double just to send it south, buy it back at double the cost but what the heck I’m not “smarter” than the twit in office, but I also know we have a responsibility to the environment and protect it as well and to those who need a helping hand. We need to support our social system and social rights as well. I’m also a proud Canadian nationalist. I don’t want to see our country fractured by separatism. I also don’t agree with what Ottawa is doing to Alberta either. Also screw Quebec. Alberta should keep the transfer payments. Why do we need to give them money we we need it more. At least it would help AISH. But I also believe we need to pay our way, which is why I support a GST even in Alberta to ensure our infrastructure, rural farmers and schools stay strong.

On tough issues like healthcare or rights, I land on common sense. I value the sanctity of life, but I also believe medical necessity and safety must come first. I support the right to own a firearm, alongside the responsibility of strict background checks.
I’m not ‘sitting on the fence.’ I’m standing in the middle, trying to find the path that actually works for everyone.

And if that makes me an orphan from either side. Good. I’m proud of it because that means I see more common sense, not to mention common ground than the twits who run this province from their pocket books that contain our money.

Thank you for your time.