February 21st, 2017

Dear Chair and Members of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship

RE: 10 reasons why we need to exclude non-profits in the lobbyist act.

We wish to express our support to continue the exemption status for non-profit organizations
under the Alberta Lobbyist Act under section 3(1)(i) for the following reasons:

1. Its important to have our voice heard. Our rights are violated on a daily basis. Sharing
our stories of what it is like to live in Alberta with a disability helps us make our province
a better place for everyone.

2. We need safe spaces to meet and share our stories. Some of the more affordable
private, safe spaces to meet are in churches, community centres and in rooms at non-
profit organizations. Does this now mean every time we make a room booking, the
people who own the room now have to document the purpose of a private meeting and
also register as a lobbyist. Including non-profits will make more difficult paperwork for
us and take us away from the real problem that needs fixing.

3. For us it is important to have a good working relationship with the government. We are
not trying to get business; we are trying to make Alberta better for people with
disabilities and people living in poverty. If we talk to the government, are we now
lobbyists under the Act?

4. Everyones story is unique. There is power when speaking as a group to ensure

everyones story is told. Not all advisory bodies we work with can say things the same
way as we would as they are too close to the government. We have the right to speak
for ourselves and to have support when we need it.

5. Sometimes we need help sharing our stories. Our friends, family, and support workers
help us make sure our voices are heard. We are not lobbyists. We are here to make sure
we get the services we need, not to get a contract to build a road.

6. The Human Rights Commission is very busy. It takes two years to investigate a human
rights complaint. The government paperwork is too hard to fill out. It is easier to call our
MLA to share ideas and solutions, or sometimes it is easier to call government workers
to get a problem fixed. Sometimes my support worker, family member, or friend calls on
my behalf. Other times we need a politician to fix the rules so they work better. We
 should be able to talk to all these different people.

7. We work on big system problems like public transportation, affordable housing and
services we need. Some of the solutions and ways we share our stories include talking to
government to get the facts so we all understand the rules, share information and make
things better. Keeping the door of communication open helps make a better Alberta.

8. Sometimes we need help to share our story. We ask our support workers to help write
the story down and help us prepare for a meeting. These people are supporting us, they
are not lobbyists. Whenever a worker at a non-profit helps us prepare to tell our story
or actually goes with us to the government meeting, that time would be lobbying time.
It is not right to remove the support the person needs to be included in the community
as a full citizen because it is also considered lobbying by new government rules. It is very
wrong and another attack on citizens right to speak to the elected officials who
represent them just because they work for a non-profit.

9. If the Lobbyist Act is enforced:

a) What will happen when my rights are not respected?
b) Who will help me if my agency does not see it is their responsibility to fix the problem
with me?
c) Who will support me if the agency is afraid to speak up due to the fact they already
spoke up for someone else? How will the agency decide who to help and who not to
help?
d) Who will help me prevent my voice from becoming silent?

10.Please make it clear that exempting charities is helping us make sure our human rights
are met. It is not the same as building roads, buildings, or running a regular business.

Sincerely,

Members of the Disability Action Hall

Leilani Muir "Nobody has the right to play God with other
peoples lives. Nobody, she told the court. Leilani Marietta Muir,
previously named Leilani Marie Scorah, was the first person to
file a successful lawsuit against the Alberta government for
wrongful sterilization under the Sexual Sterilization Act of
Alberta.