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Calgary social agency says requested budget cut is illegal, unethical

CALGARY — The CEO of a Calgary social services agency says a request by the Alberta government for groups to chop their budgets by two per cent is illegal.

CALGARY — The CEO of a Calgary social services agency says a request by the Alberta government for groups to chop their budgets by two per cent is illegal.

Doug Hauser runs the Universal Rehabilitation Service Agency, which helps people with brain injuries.

He says his agency has no intention of sending $116,000 of its funding back to the province.

Hauser also says the agency’s board of directors believe the cut is retroactive to last April 1, and that’s what may be illegal, as well as unethical.

Community Supports Minister Mary Anne Jablonski says she understands the pressure agencies are under to find the two-per-cent cut.

She says she expects agencies to do it because “we’re serving the same client and trying to offer the service they require without impacting them in any significant way.”

Jablonski also said if agencies can’t find the savings, the province will honour the contracts they’ve entered into with the service providers.

Beverly Mah’s 20-year-old daughter suffers from trisomy 18 syndrome, which has left her unable to walk, talk and with mental disabilities.

Most children with the genetic disorder don’t survive past the age of one.

Mah says she can’t believe the province is asking caregivers to give back some of her daughter’s funding.

“Honestly, the last two years with the province have been the most stress that I’ve ever faced and it really almost ruined me.”

The Conservative government is looking for social services agencies to give back about $12 million in funding.

Jablonski’s department sent a letter to agencies in December asking them to outline where cuts could be made and to respond within 10 days.

She said in a news release late Wednesday that Albertans with developmental disabilities and their families “are and will remain a high priority for me and this government.”

“I am saddened that some are making these individuals and others across the province worried about possible changes to the supports provided by the PDD (Persons with Developmental Disabilities) program.”

Jablonski said the cuts won’t be done “at the cost of health and safety” but said they are necessary due to the economic downturn.