DABC Calls Upon Global News to Issue a Formal Apology for their Discriminatory News Piece

DABC is shocked and deeply disappointed at Global News which, on December 3, 2025, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, decided to publish an inflammatory and antagonizing piece claiming allegations of fraud conducted by people receiving disability assistance and income assistance (known collectively as social assistance), from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR). This piece highlighted only one viewpoint: through the biased lens of one SDPR worker. The video provided no context, information or alternative viewpoints regarding the real lived experiences of people who receive social assistance.

Throughout this video, Global News mentions a lack of “proper verification,” yet fails to provide any information regarding the complex and rigorous application and eligibility verification process that people must undergo in order to receive social assistance to begin with. This process includes but is not limited to the applicant providing:

• all financial and bank account documents;
• at least three months worth of income documentation;
• proof of assets;
• eligibility interviews;
• forceable work searches;
• for people who have been living with someone for more than 12 months, all the above documents are also required for their partner; and
• proof of disability through medical confirmation from their healthcare practitioner and a separate assessor (for people applying for disability assistance).

The social assistance system is incredibly onerous and complex. Global News’ assertion that SDPR has a lack of “proper verification” does nothing to reflect the reality of folks who require assistance in order to meet basic living needs, and who have to jump through many hoops and verification processes just to receive it.

In their video, Global News mentions “millions of dollars of fraud” which DABC argues is a wild assumption to assert based on the viewpoint of one whistleblower, particularly when said whistleblower voiced no clear evidence to back up this information. The whistleblower failed to mention that many clients on social assistance are routinely monitored and reviewed by SDPR with no just cause. These reviews require clients to provide months if not years of financial documents. If they fail to do so or are late in submitting this documentation, they are penalized by having their social assistance cut off. DABC has observed that these random reviews are often conducted over and over again, leading to further anxiety and stress on those receiving social assistance.

There is no recognition in this video that monthly social assistance income is a meager amount which keeps many people below the poverty line in this province. There are several mentions within the video claiming that people on social assistance are financially successful, such as an example of “a family who is receiving more than $6,000 a month in government money”. DABC believes that Global News has failed to fact-check this story according to proper journalistic standards. The highest rate of disability assistance in BC is currently set to $3,207 per month – that is for a family of 10 people where both adults are approved for disability assistance.

The Global News video mentions an increasing amount of people applying for social assistance, yet provides no critical analysis or explanation as to why that may be; such as higher cost of living and increased number of people with disabilities due to the impacts of COVID.

This sensationalized piece purposely leads viewers to believe that people on social assistance are defrauding the system and stealing taxpayer money. DABC soundly rebuffs the viewpoint of punishing individuals on low income and people with disabilities for an overloaded social assistance system that is causing SDPR workers to be overwhelmed by their increasing caseload. The fault of a system should not fall on the backs of people with disabilities.

We wholeheartedly reject the frankly ableist and discriminatory perception that this video has produced and abhor the negative narrative it perpetuates: that people with disabilities are untrustworthy or trying to “cheat the system”. The Global News piece is a gross example of one-sided, salacious, fear-mongering journalism that is used as a tactic to gain views at the expense of our common humanity. We ask that Global News release a formal apology and retract their statements made in the video, immediately.

Today—on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—DABC has issued a press release, announcing the 11 recipients of the 2025/2026 Accessibility Projects Grants. Congratulations to the successful applicants!

Download the press release or read it below.

-For Immediate Release-

Vancouver, BC – December 3, 2025

In honour of December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has announced 11 recipients of the 2025/2026 Accessibility Projects Grants. These grants are expected to support year-long projects that promote better access to cultural, recreational, emergency planning, educational and community participation opportunities for people with disabilities across the province.

This year, the Province provided $450,000 in funding, which DABC will distribute to non-profits throughout British Columbia. Since 2018, DABC has distributed over $3 million to more than 100 non-profit organizations through the Accessibility Projects Grants.

“We all want people to live dignified lives and fully participate in their communities,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.  “That’s why we are funding $450,000 to support 11 projects that will expand accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in B.C., from creating accessible arts programs and digital literacy opportunities, to supporting youth, families, and Indigenous communities. Thanks to Disability Alliance BC for administering these grants and helping make these projects possible.”

In August 2025, organizations in B.C were invited to apply for up to $40,000 for projects that will support lasting change for the more than 900,000 people in BC[1] living with disabilities. After an extensive review process by representatives from the disability and community sectors, 11 projects were funded this year.

“It’s a joy being part of the selection process for these vital grants. The level of commitment to disability inclusion and community building shines through each application,” says Roberta McDonald, who is the Accessible Organizations Project Manager with DABC and has been on the grants review for the past two years. As a Deaf and neurodivergent accessibility professional, Roberta has devoted her career to removing barriers and building accessible communities. “I’m heartened by the incredible work towards accessibility happening across BC and can’t wait to see how these organizations contribute to making this a province where everyone can have full and equal participation at every level.”

DABC is proud to work with the Province of B.C. to remove barriers and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to their communities. The Accessibility Projects Grants are an important step in this direction.

A backgrounder can be found below with the list of the 2025/26 grant recipients.

Media Contact:

Helaine Boyd
Executive Director
helaine@dabc.ca

Learn More:

To learn more about Disability Alliance BC: dabc.ca

To get up to date about the Province’s work on accessibility: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/initiatives/accessibility/news

To give feedback on barriers people with disabilities face when accessing government services: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/initiatives/accessibility/feedback

Backgrounder:

DABC invited eligible organizations to apply for funding for projects that will take place in 2026. The list of grant recipients was announced today:

• ACT Autism Community Training Society – Rural, Remote First Nations Communities: $40,000 for the Decolonizing Autism & Neurodivergence: Growing Strength based Inclusive Community in Rural, Remote, First Nations in BC Project. Increasing accessibility for Autistic and neurodivergent Indigenous people by creating culturally relevant and culturally safe training and sustained support systems.
• Cridge Centre for the Family – Victoria: $40,000 for the Visible Voices Project. Initiating a trauma-informed arts initiative for women survivors of brain injury, including those affected by intimate partner violence.
• Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society – Vancouver and Coquitlam: $40,000 for the Cultivating Accessibility: Expanding SOYL for Youth with Disabilities Project. Creating dedicated, accessible employment opportunities for youth with disabilities, empowering them to participate fully in food systems and urban agriculture.
• Grunt gallery – Vancouver and Richmond: $39,650 for the Blind-Led Tours Project. Establishing a transformative program of public tours designed for non-visual engagement and a professional development program to train Blind/low-vision individuals as gallery tour guides.
• Literacy Now Cowichan – Duncan and Cowichan Valley area: $23638.50 for the Digital Inclusion Pilot Project. Providing beginner level digital literacy training for adults with disabilities through small group classes and one-on one support, ensuring learners gain the foundational skills needed to navigate technology safely and confidently.
• Moms Against Racism Canada – Provincial: $40,000 for the NeuroEquity Project: Culturally Responsive Mental Health for Neurodivergent Communities. Addressing systemic barriers to timely and culturally appropriate mental health care for IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour) youth and adults with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities.
• North Park Neighbourhood Association – Victoria: $40,000 for the Accessibility Champions: Civic Participation 2026 Project. Delivering accessible civic education and governance pathways for disabled residents in North Park through accessible workshops, committee participation, and cross-stakeholder training.
• Okanagan Lifetime Networks Association – Okanagan: $37252 for the (ART) LIFT – Learning Independence for Future Transitions Project. Empowering individuals with disabilities aged 16–29 to develop financial, career, wellness, and community skills needed for a successful transition into autonomous adulthood.
• SPACE (Stuttering, People, Arts, Community, Education) – Lower Mainland: $40,000 for the Listening Equity Project. Training service providers to create accessible communication environments for people who stutter and those with other communication disabilities.
• Urban Horse Project Society – Burnaby and Langley: $40,000 for the Building Community Wellbeing Through Horses Project. Providing new accessible learning and wellness programs with horses to diverse urban adults, seniors and youth with disabilities.
• Zajac Ranch Society – Mission: $40,000 for the Zajac Ranch for Children Weekend Respite Family Camps Project. Offering Weekend Respite Family Camps throughout the off-season, designed to provide respite support, education and community connection to families and youth with complex medical conditions.

To learn more please visit here: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/program/accessibility-projects/

[1] 24.7% of BC’s population over age 15 have a disability: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037401&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.13