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We Advocate is a podcast about empowerment, advocacy, and understanding the systems that affect Albertans with disabilities. Hosted by Gordon VanderLeek, a Calgary wills and estates lawyer, and Annie VanderLeek, a disability advocate, the show explores the intersection of law, policy, and lived experience for people with disabilities and their families.
Each episode breaks down complex topics — from AISH and the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) to support programs both provincial and federal, guardianship & trusteeship for those with disabilities, issues on capacity, and general planning opportunities— in plain language that helps listeners make sense of their rights and options.
With insight, empathy, and a dash of candid conversation, Gordon and Annie share their experiences from both sides of the advocacy table — legal and personal — helping listeners stay informed, prepared, and empowered to navigate life with confidence.
If you care about disability rights, inclusion, legal issues and social policy reform in Alberta and beyond, We Advocate is your trusted voice for clarity and change.
12 Episodes
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Episode Summary: In this solo episode, Gordon VanderLeek steps back from reacting to policy changes and instead asks a bigger question: If we could redesign Alberta’s disability support system from scratch, what would real reform look like? With the introduction of the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), ongoing concerns about AISH, and limited consultation with the disability community, this episode explores what meaningful change could be, not just administrative adjustments, bu...
Episode Summary: In Part 2 of our Disability Tax Credit series, we move beyond eligibility and focus on why the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) matters so much - not just for taxes, but as a gateway to critical federal supports. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, we recommend starting there to understand who qualifies and how the application works. This episode builds on that foundation and explores how DTC eligibility unlocks financial supports, long-term planning tools, and protections that...
Episode Summary: In this episode of We Advocate, Gordon and Annie VanderLeek unpack one of the most misunderstood, and increasingly important, disability supports in Canada: the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Often dismissed as “just a small tax break,” the DTC is actually a gateway benefit that unlocks access to other critical federal and provincial programs. With upcoming changes to Alberta disability supports and the introduction of the Canada Disability Benefit, understanding the DTC has n...
Episode Summary: In this reflective year-end episode, Gordon and Annie look back on a tumultuous year for Alberta’s disability community and look ahead to what 2026 may bring. What began as conversations around Bill 12 and proposed changes to AISH has evolved into a year marked by uncertainty, fear, increased workload for families, and a growing sense of distrust between the disability community and government decision-makers. This episode isn’t just about policy, it’s about people, lived exp...
Episode Summary: In this episode, Gordon and Annie tackle one of the most persistent and most harmful myths about the Alberta Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program: “AISH is easy to get.” Spoiler: It’s not. This conversation breaks down the reality of the AISH eligibility process, the misconceptions driving public commentary, and the lived experience of families who navigate the system every day. With major changes coming in 2026 through the proposed ADAP program, underst...
Episode Summary: In this episode of We Advocate, Gordon and Annie unpack Bill 12 – the biggest change to AISH in over 20 years. They walk through what the Bill actually does, why it’s so concerning for people with disabilities and their families, and what we still don’t know because so much is being left to regulations behind closed doors. If you (or someone you love) relies on AISH, this is a must-listen. Why this matters: Financial security is on the line - For many disabled Albertans, AISH...
Episode Summary: In this episode of We Advocate, Gordon and Annie sit down with two powerful voices in Alberta’s disability community: MLA Marie Renaud (St. Albert, Opposition Shadow Minister for Community & Social Services) and disability advocate Zachary Weeks. Together, they unpack what’s happening behind the scenes with the proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), from the lack of meaningful consultation to fears about reduced benefits, reassessments, and the real-world ...
Episode Summary: In this episode of We Advocate, Gordon and Annie unpack the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) — what it is, who qualifies, and why many Albertans on AISH are feeling confused, frustrated, and let down. They walk through how the benefit is supposed to reduce poverty for working-age Canadians with disabilities, and how Alberta’s full clawback and upcoming ADAP changes leave many people worse off than they expected. Why this matters: If you or someone you love is: on AISHapply...
Episode Summary Gordon (wills & estates lawyer) and Annie (disability advocate) sit down with Dr. Gillian Petit—an economist and JD—to unpack Alberta’s proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and what it could mean for people currently on AISH. The government frames ADAP as “empowering” people to work while keeping needed supports. Dr. Petit puts that claim under a microscope: lowered base benefits, smaller earnings exemptions, missing policy details (clawback rate!), new ad...
In this episode of We Advocate, Gordon and Annie continue unpacking Alberta’s proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), this time focusing on income, benefits, and employment expectations under the new system. The discussion dives into what the government’s discussion paper outlines for people with disabilities who have “some ability to work,” including how income exemptions will change and what the new employment supports might look like. In This Episode ADAP vs. AISH income dif...
In this episode, Gordon and Annie unpack eligibility for Alberta’s proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and how it may differ from AISH. They walk through age, residency, income and asset tests, the medical criteria, and the new adjudication flow. Plus why episodic and complex disabilities may be hardest hit if the rules aren’t nuanced. In This Episode ADAP at a glance: Proposed to run alongside AISH starting July 1, 2026; placement appears to hinge on “ability to work.”Basel...
Welcome to the relaunch of We Advocate , a podcast where lawyer Gordon VanderLeek and disability advocate Annie VanderLeek break down the Alberta government’s proposed Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and what it means for Albertans living with disabilities. In this first episode, they explore the government’s goals for ADAP, how it compares to the long-standing AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) program, and why the change has many people worried. In This Episode ...
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