The following is a statement from Alberta NDP Critic for Children’s Services Rakhi Pancholi on news that the Alberta Court of Appeal overturned an injunction halting the UCP’s reduction of the age eligibility for former foster children to Support and Fina

“It’s very upsetting to hear that young vulnerable Albertans are being left exposed to Jason Kenney’s heartless, cruel, and petty cuts with today’s court decision. 

“Today’s decision means that Jason Kenney will be able to move forward with his plans to cut support to former foster children who relied on the Support and Financial Assistance Agreements (SFAA) program. This would leave hundreds of young Albertans without access to support for things like housing, child care, counselling and career preparation. 

“Jason Kenney’s cuts to this critical support for vulnerable youth is wrong. These cuts are an attack on their financial and emotional security. Many have told me it feels like a lifeline is being cut. Moving ahead with these plans while in the midst of an unprecedented public health emergency is immoral and cruel. 

“These young Albertans have nowhere else to turn. They are trying to get their lives on track and the UCP are setting them up to fail.”