Support for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
February 24 2010
Taken from the Alberta Hansard, February 24th, 2010
Dr. Swann: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today a hundred
Albertans have joined us here in the Legislature to express their
disappointment and justifiable anger at the callousness of this
administration's decision to claw back supports so desperately
needed by people with developmental disabilities. Citizens who live
with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol
syndrome need the compassion, assistance, and understanding of a
caring community. That community starts with their immediate
family and friends, but it also encompasses all Albertans.
We're all part of a civilization, a civil society, with common rights
and obligations. One of our duties is to ensure that people with
special needs are looked after. Responsible leadership would make
absolutely sure that there's enough public funding to meet the
special needs of the people, including those who have joined us in
the Legislature today and the many thousands of others with
developmental disabilities across the province.
I applaud the men and women who devote their lives to caring for
people with developmental disabilities. With meagre resources they
are doing their absolute best to provide sons and daughters and the
people they support with a quality of life.
Unfortunately, this administration is not providing sufficient
support to allow people with developmental disabilities and their
families and caregivers to live with a level of dignity that is their
birthright. Millions of dollars in cuts have left aid providers and
parents scrambling and desperate and vulnerable Albertans in crisis.
This is the result of poor financial planning. These are not the
actions of a compassionate and responsible government. I would ask
the Premier to reconsider these cruel PDD cuts. The worth of a
civilization is judged on how it treats its most vulnerable. Today this
government is failing that important test.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
