This release was issued under a previous government.

“We worked with stakeholders to ensure this engagement about the safety of PDD-funded individuals is meaningful, effective and inclusive. With support and guidance from the consultation team, we are seeking input from individuals, their families and guardians, service providers, safety experts and community members, such as landlords. We want to find solutions that respect the personal choices, privacy, priorities and needs of the disability community, without compromising safety.” 

Irfan Sabir, Minister of Human Services

Consultation team members

  • John te Linde, Chair
  • Marie Renaud, MLA for St. Albert
  • Ann Nicol, Member, Alberta Council of Disability Services
  • Bruce Uditsky, Member, Inclusion Alberta 
  • Cam Tait, Member, Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities  
  • Tammy Poirier, Member, Disability Action Hall
  • Jennifer Stewart, Member, Disability Action Hall          
  • Michael Cooper, community advocate

Members of the consultation team will be responsible for overseeing the PDD Safety Standards engagement, and will act as representatives of the disabilities community.

“Our focus will be on guiding inclusive, informative and productive conversations. We encourage all participants to approach this engagement with an open mind and with the goal of finding a balance between safety, and consideration of people with disabilities that equals those for all Albertans.”

John te Linde, consultation team Chair

Engagement with targeted stakeholder groups will start in January 2016. The team will make recommendations to the Minister on what the standards of safety should be for people receiving services through PDD and to whom they should apply. The report from the consultation team is expected in February 2016.

The PDD Safety Standards Regulation sets out standards required of service providers contracting with the PDD program. The eight standards fall in the areas of: environmental, safety and maintenance requirements; medication assistance; water temperature; concerns and complaints; and compliance with various safety codes and bylaws.

Media Note: Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir and Chair of the consultation team John te Linde will be available for comment in Edmonton in the Legislature Rotunda on December 4, at 10:15 a.m.