When the SaskParty created SAID in 2009 and expanded it dramatically in 2011-2012, Brad Wall stood before the province and declared his government's goal was "to make Saskatchewan the best place in Canada to live for people with disabilities."

SAID was created as a dignified benefit for people with enduring disability. Sweeping amendments are being made to SAID policy regulations; they take effect on April 1st. These new regulations will absolutely create increased reliance on other community supports and drive homelessness in our communities. This government is now proposing to take away opportunity and safety nets that cost very little in a provincial budget – but are so needed for people with disabilities!

Effective social policy ensures that benefits are adequate, indexed to inflation, and accurately reflect real costs to daily living. (My heart also aches for income workers, who no doubt got into this line of work because they believe in social programs – they will feel horrible having to administer this terrible policy.) 

Order in Council 14 -2026 amends regulations to Sask Assured Income for Disability (SAID), and the changes to recipient and caregiver benefits take effect April 1.

SAID’s stated purpose is to provide financial and other supports to people with permanent significant disabilities who are unlikely to gain financial independence through full-time employment.

Here are some real examples of what this will mean for people on SAID, people you know and who live in your community: 

1. They are no longer to be assisted with medical transport, unless for dialysis or cancer treatments. So regular appointments and medications are no longer covered for folks. You also have to have a minimum of 5 medical appointments a month to get a subsidized bus pass. And older, frailer folks aren't getting assistance, even with doctors' notes indicating they require transportation. 
2. Previously, you were able to get a one- time furniture grant for household items like cutlery, lamps, curtains, dishes, vacuum, couch, bed, etc. Now you have to prove that, without funding for these things, your health and safety will be at risk. 

This new Order in Council quietly hands the Minister of Social Services unchecked power to decide when disabled people are getting “too much.” 

Previously, if you had a permanent disability and were in financial distress, you qualified. Now the starting presumption is you must prove you’ve exhausted every other possible resource – credit cards, family help, other government programs – and only then can you access SAID. The new legislation adds that you must be applying “as a last resort”. 

This Order in Council violates Charter protections for equality and may breach Canada’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The elimination of education support creates significant barriers to inclusive education. The exclusion of emotional support animals discriminates against people with psychiatric disabilities (only seeing eye dogs for the blind will be covered). The respite care cut undermines the right to community living.

Here is a link to the contact information for all MLAs in Saskatchewan:

https://www.legassembly.sk.ca/mlas/mla-contact-information/

Please write a letter to your MLA today, asking that this legislation be amended.

Please take the time to prevent an incredible new strain on caregivers, support workers, those with disabilities in our communities and their families.

We need to act now, before this rolls out on April 1st. If you hear of a protest in your area being organized on this issue, we need to be there. 

Naomi Hunter,
Saskatchewan Green Party Leader