PDD protests outside premier’s office
Posted May 31, 2013 3:09 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Hundreds of people chanted slogans and waved signs outside of the premier’s office in protest to the changes being made to the Persons with Developmental Disabilities Program.
The changes were announced in the latest provincial budget and come into effect on Canada Day.
Protesters were carrying giant pictures of people affected by the planned cuts as they shouted “shame on you” & “no more cuts”.
Their anger and frustration is aimed at Premier Alison Redford as she defends her government’s plans.
The premier says nobody likes change suggesting just the mention of change upsets people.
Redford says many people including those receiving PDD benefits simply don’t understand the changes being made to the program adding those who need help will continue to receive it.
“Change is difficult and we certainly anticipated that there would be people that are having questions. I am really proud with how the ministers are working with this and we are going to work through it.”
Redford says the changes are designed to make sure benefits are delivered to those entitled to them and not siphoned off by social service agencies, adding even if those agencies are not for profit they are still a business.
Minister of Human Services Dave Hancock says PDD is undergoing a restructuring and the $42-million missing from their budget won’t be required as they move towards a focus in community engagement.
Hancock says the government is going to sit down and evaluate what level of resources each person needs.
“Eighty per cent of the SIS assessment is done already and that will be used in context with other assessment processes, to say okay what is this individual client’s need? And then how do we apply those needs to the service delivery for their living and for community engagement?”
He adds reports that say two thousand people will no longer receive the services they do now, are incorrect.
“What that does not include is direct operation clients, or those people that manage supports. So they’ve taken that document, misinterpreted it, and used that misinterpretation to try and scare people. It’s absolutely objectionable.”
Hancock says they want to move clients towards better community inclusion by introducing them to an appropriate work or volunteer environment.
A healthcare provider In Calgary says the public is being mislead when it comes to the planned PDD cuts.
Laureen tells 660News recreational programs are not considered healthcare and as a mother of two children with chronic illnesses, she does not expect the government to pay for her children’s recreational activities like art class or swimming.
