Episode Summary:

In this episode of We Advocate, Gordon and Annie unpack Bill 12 – the biggest change to AISH in over 20 years. They walk through what the Bill actually does, why it’s so concerning for people with disabilities and their families, and what we still don’t know because so much is being left to regulations behind closed doors.

If you (or someone you love) relies on AISH, this is a must-listen.

Why this matters:

• Financial security is on the line - For many disabled Albertans, AISH is the difference between “barely scraping by” and homelessness. A $200/month cut and no guaranteed indexation is not abstract – it’s food, rent, meds, and transportation.
• The rules can change quietly later - Because so much is being moved into regulations, the government can tighten eligibility or reduce protections without the same level of public debate or media coverage.
• People with disabilities are being asked to carry all the risk - The people with the least margin – and often the least capacity to navigate complex systems – are being asked to live with maximum uncertainty.
• Precedent for how Alberta treats disabled people - This isn’t just about one program. It’s about what Alberta is signalling about the value placed on disabled people and their right to a stable, dignified income.

Key Takeaways:

What Bill 12 actually does

• Rewrites the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Act
• Creates a two-tier structure: AISH vs ADAP
• Ties eligibility explicitly to employment and “ability to work”

The two-tier system: AISH vs ADAP

• AISH: for those whose disability permanently prevents employment
• ADAP: for those whose disability substantially impedes employment
• The wording sounds simple, but how it will be interpreted is completely unclear.

Automatic transfer of current AISH recipients

• Around 80,000 people on AISH will be automatically moved to ADAP as of July 1, 2026
• The ADAP rate is $200/month lower than AISH
• There is no right to appeal the move itself – you can only try to prove you “belong” back on AISH afterward.

Indexation & future benefit levels

• Bill 12 removes the automatic annual indexation that helped benefits keep pace (somewhat) with cost of living
• Any future increases become discretionary and can be changed quietly by regulation, not debated openly in the Legislature.

Memorable Lines:

“Imagine your employer told you: we’re changing your job, paying you less, and we won’t tell you the rules yet. But trust us – it’s better for you. That’s what this feels like.”

“AISH used to focus on whether you could support yourself. Now the language is all about employment – and that’s a very different lens.”

“Every single person on AISH will be moved to ADAP first. There’s no appeal of that move. You only get to fight your way back afterward.”

Resources & Links:

Text of Bill 12
Search “Bill 12 2025 Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Act” on the Alberta Queen’s Printer site: https://www.qp.alberta.ca

Government information about AISH & ADAP
General AISH program page (watch for ADAP updates): https://www.alberta.ca/aish

VanderLeek Law ADAP / AISH summary
Gordon’s firm has prepared a 4-page summary of the proposed changes.
https://vanderleeklaw.ca/aish-adap