Cold Lake City Council will formally ask the Alberta government to pause implementation of the province’s new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) following an emotional presentation from a local resident who warned the changes could create serious hardship for vulnerable Albertans.

Council voted during its May 26 meeting to send a letter to Alberta’s Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services requesting a pause to the rollout of ADAP and calling for further public engagement on the proposed disability support reforms.

The decision followed a delegation earlier this month from Cold Lake resident Rebecca Lafebvre, who appeared before council on May 12 to raise concerns about the transition away from Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH).

Lafebvre told council many Albertans currently receiving AISH are frightened about what the changes could mean for their future.

“This new program sounds great on paper, but in reality, it is completely detrimental to the people receiving AISH benefits,” Lafebvre told council.

The Alberta government is expected to roll out ADAP in July 2026.

During her presentation, Lafebvre argued the changes could lead to:

• increased homelessness
• higher poverty rates
• more theft and crime
• increased addictions and overdoses
• worsening mental health struggles
• greater financial instability for vulnerable residents

“People are already determined to be unable to work full time.”

Lafebvre also spoke about the barriers many Albertans already face simply in qualifying for AISH.

“To get onto the AISH program, people are already determined to be unable to work full time or to be able to make a substantial amount of money to be able to live off of,” she explained.

She said the process often takes years and includes extensive medical documentation, physician appointments and out-of-pocket expenses for required forms.

“There are doctor visits and forms to be filled out by both the recipient and the doctor. These forms are not cheap and come out of the recipient’s pocket,” her written submission stated.

Lafebvre also emphasized that many people receiving disability supports do not have family members or financial supports to fall back on.

“Not everyone on AISH has supports such as family members, friends, spouses, etc. that can support them financially or any other way,” she told council.

Her presentation also highlighted concerns around accessibility, transportation and employment limitations faced by disabled residents in smaller communities.

Questions raised over who remains eligible

Part of the discussion focused on who would remain under AISH exemptions versus who may transition into ADAP.

According to information presented during the meeting, exemptions currently discussed include:

• Individuals with severe and profound developmental disabilities
• People receiving support for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
• Individuals with terminal or palliative conditions
• Residents living in continuing care homes
• Individuals aged 60 and older

During council discussion, Councillor Dawn Weber said she understood why residents were frustrated and concerned.

“I understand the frustration and will personally do all that I can,” Weber told Lafebvre.

Weber also noted that of approximately 77,000 Albertans currently receiving AISH, only about 29,000 are expected to remain under the exemptions discussed during the meeting.

City joins growing calls for further consultation

Council ultimately approved the administration’s recommendation to formally advocate to the province by sending a letter requesting that the rollout of ADAP be paused until additional public consultation and engagement can occur.

Mayor Bob Mattice thanked Lafebvre for bringing her concerns forward to council.

The issue has become an increasingly discussed topic across Alberta as residents, advocacy organizations and municipalities seek more clarity around how the new disability support framework will function once implemented.