St. Albert charity rallies public support for disabled

A St. Albert charity is rallying people to protest the provinces impending cutsto programming for the developmentally disabled.

LoSeCa, a non-profit organization that provides residential and day supports to adults with developmental disabilities, is encouraging Albertans to join them in protest at the Alberta legislature on Friday.

The organization bought a full-page newspaper ad that encourages readers to attend the rally, and have also placed a large sign condemning the cuts along on a busy St. Albert street to promote awareness about the cuts.

"We wanted to communicate with all the people in St. Albert, and we thought this is the best way to do it," said Marie Renaud, the executive director of the LoSeCa Foundation.

Renaud says she is worried about what will happen to organizations like hers when the proposed cuts go forward July 1.

Just six months ago, Marie Renaud received an award for social innovation from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Today, Renaud said she doesnt even know if her organization will still be in business in a month.

LoSeCa will lose 12 per cent of its budgetwhich will mean staff layoffs and some clients losing caregivers, she said.

"I know what this is going do to people, and I know it's going to harm them," said Renaud.

Frank Oberle, Alberta's associate minister of persons with disabilities, is calling the upcoming cuts merely a rearrangement of resources.

He says that no one will be left wanting support services.

"If you need services in this province, you will get services," said Oberle. "That's my commitment to you."

But some Alberta parents remain skeptical and worried.

"I wouldn't be a good mom ifI didn't stand up and show my concern about what it might mean to my son," said Anita Ferri, who has a son with developmental disabilities.

"The government of Alberta is cutting in the wrong place," agreed David Reuben. "There are plenty of other places to cutyou dont need to be cutting from the weakest people."