Re: “AISH improvements announced,” by Adrian Morrow, News, July 24-30, 2008.

Regarding Colleen Huston’s call to raise the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) base rate to the cost of living (while allowing AISH recipients to earn up to $1,500 more through paid jobs), I would just like to point out that there are many, many Calgarians and people across the country who work full-time and still live below the poverty line. I don’t believe it would be just to raise the standard of living of those receiving government assistance above those working full-time who do not receive this assistance. We can’t elevate the circumstances of one group of people while many others languish in low-wage jobs. We all have to move forward collectively.

Jillian MacPherson

Calgary