Questions are being raised about some Tory campaign promises, including changes to Alberta's disability aid program and two proposed health-care high schools.
Wednesday's pledge to improve Assisted Income for the Severely Disabled (AISH) is an empty promise, say staff who work with Albertans with disabilities.
Tory Leader Ed Stelmach makes an announcement at a Calgary health centre Wednesday.
(CBC)
Tory Leader Ed Stelmach promised, if re-elected, that people who receive AISH would be able to earn more money without cutbacks to their living allowance.
But to benefit from the proposed change, recipients would have to earn at least $1,000 per month.
Ryan Geake, executive director of the Calgary SCOPE Society, which helps people with disabilities, says few of his clients are able to work. Those who have jobs don't make close to $1,000 per month.
"Their announcement really costs them nothing," he said of the Tory campaign promise. "In many ways, it's actually just really frustrating."
About 36,000 Albertans receive AISH, but about 6,100, or 17 per cent, have jobs.
Ashton Dookhoo, 43, has a mental disorder and receives AISH. He's been working at a Calgary bottle depot for almost 20 years — with shifts every Monday and Wednesday — and also works one day a week at a fast-food restaurant.
Dookhoo takes home about $500 a month and would have to work full-time to benefit from the Tory promise.
The maximum AISH payment was increased in May 2007 to $1,088 per month. Geake said most people he works with can't afford to meet their basic needs.
"We have forced adults to be in a situation where they break into tears because they've ripped a piece of clothing because they are so poor. That's pathetic in a rich province," he said.
Health-care high schools catch many off-guard
In his first announcement of the campaign, Stelmach proposed health-care high schools — one in Edmonton and one in Calgary — for students considering becoming doctors, nurses or other health-care professionals.
'I just don't see where this is going to fit in and right now, there's more questions than answers.'
— Karen Craik, United Nurses of Alberta
But few people have been consulted about the idea and the Conservatives themselves are admittedly short on details for the new schools.
"We have not heard of this concept before," said Karen Craik, spokeswoman for the United Nurses of Alberta. "Why a school in Calgary and Edmonton? I just don't see where this is going to fit in and right now, there's more questions than answers."
The Calgary Board of Education was unaware it might be getting a new high school, and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, which represents many health-care workers, said they were not consulted.
The idea came from Education Minister Ron Liepert, who learned about it when he visited Washington state last year.
While it was announced as an election promise, there was no cost, timeline, or proposed sites, leaving Liepert to admit there are many unanswered questions.
"It might be something new. It may be a current high school where it focuses on health-care disciplines," he said. "Again, [I'm] open to whatever would work but it's certainly a direction we want to move."
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More Alberta Votes Headlines »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
