08/26/2026
Email I just sent to multiple MLAs and party leaders in BC. The recipients:
My local MLA Bruce Banman MLA Abbotsford South
Premier David Eby
BC Greens Leader Emily Lowan
Á'a:líya Warbus MLA Chilliwack-Cultus Lake (submitted a bill in the legislature for a PWD increase)
Peter Milobar (recently left his party to start a new one.
Hello there, to whom it may concern,
I am a disabled neurodivergent adult living in the Abbotsford South riding.
For a few years now, I feel the government of BC has been going in the wrong direction when it comes to supporting disabled people in this province. As costs continue to rise, the provincial government has failed to increase the PWD monthly amounts over the past few years. Most notably is that the shelter portion still only goes just a little over $500 max when rent can get well over $2000 in the Lower Mainland, where over half the province’s population lives. This is simply unacceptable for people who are disabled and unable to get a job. Those who are unable to work a job for a living deserve a roof over their heads the same way working people do, and PWD absolutely needs to be raised to reflect the cost of living.
In addition, I feel that BC Pharmacare is behind compared to other provinces. The Gastrointestinal Society reported that BC Pharmacare is not covering about 30 lifesaving medications that other provinces are covering. Most notably, the ultra-long-acting insulin Tresiba is still not covered in BC despite the fact that it’s the insulin that most endocrinologists recommend for type 1 diabetes as well as the fact BC is one of the provinces where certain insulins are 100% covered, but when it’s mostly outdated ones like Basaglar, that is an issue. I also feel that there are too many barriers to other lifesaving medications through special authority, most notably with Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis, where patients still have to try and fail steroids, which can have long-term side effects even with short-term use, before they can use more effective and less side effect-prone targeted treatments like biologics. I also feel coverage for diabetic supplies is also behind, as Tandem insulin pumps and Medtronic CGMs are still not covered. Simply put, BC’s Pharmacare coverage is a decade behind and needs to be brought up to modern standards.
There is a huge rally being planned in front of the BC legislature on October 5, 2026, to get PWD monthly rates raised to at least $1950 a month in BC. If you and your party truly care about disabled people in BC, I’d advise you to show up on that date between 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and/or work in the legislature to get PWD monthly rates raised to that level. There are 2 more years left till the next provincial election, so we will be paying close attention to all political parties in BC on who will have the best plan to raise PWD to the right rates for disabled people.
Thank You.
