It seems the heat has been taken out of the disability cuts dispute in Alberta.
Blue Heron executive director Ralph Helder was in upbeat and conciliatory mood when he spoke at his organization’s AGM last Wednesday, praising the new contracts that service providers will sign.
Details have still to be published, dollars and cents are as yet unknown, but it was apparent government has moved from its original position.
No longer do contracts have to be signed by July 1 – instead unconfirmed reports are circulating that the new date is March, 2014. On top of that the focus is on individuals and providing efficient services to best fit their needs.
Helder said the issue of money had been taken off the table, at least for now.
Hallelujah, he exclaimed – and we echo that sentiment.
We also hope government is not engaged in a public relations move and will work closely with those who have hands-on experience of caring for people with development disabilities.
Setting that caution aside, let nobody be in any doubt about the impact of street rallies, protest letters and social media pressure, all involving Blue Heron workers, guardians, individuals, parents and concerned members of the community.
Government did not shift on its own volition. It did not make concessions in a vacuum. It had to be cajoled by a province-wide outcry; it had to be pushed and prodded into taking a more pragmatic approach.
Put on the defensive, government ministers have taken the line that much of the furore was over poor lines of communication.
While accepting they did not articulate the case properly, they say the focus should be on intended service-delivery options rather than the budget.
However ministers frame their argument, it is hard not to gain an impression of people in city offices making decisions divorced from reality and failing to appreciate that what may look good on paper can often be hopelessly impractical.
As a result, government is being repeatedly forced to backpedal from unrealistic deadlines for implementing changes.
First it was on the pharmacy issue, now over people with developmental disabilities.
Had they spoken first to those on the front line, they may well have spared a lot of vulnerable people unnecessary anguish and distress.
Their conduct does not suggest leaders with a firm, sure touch on the levers of power.
It suggests people whose judgment has been affected by a pressing need to make savings and heal a bleeding economy.
Nevertheless it would be churlish not to credit those who have heeded the voice of the people.
We share the palpable sense of relief that pervaded Blue Heron’s AGM.
