This article was written by Margaret Fraser, and originally appeared in the edition of DABC’s Transition magazine, Following Their Path: How disability trailblazers are guiding today’s advocacy (Fall/Winter 2025).

Read the full edition in PDF format here and in text-only format here.

If you’re interested in contributing to Transition as an individual or an organization, please email transition@dabc.ca.

This edition of Transition Magazine is dedicated to the late Pamela Horton. Pam served on DABC’s board of directors for close to thirty years. If you’d like to support Transition, we have set up a fund in Pam’s name. We so appreciate any contributions.

Pam Horton grew up in North Vancouver in the 1950’s and 60’s with her brother, Mom and Dad. She had an active life, loving the outdoors, mastering a range of crafts and later finding work in the administrative field.

On February 9, 1982, at age 28, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She often spoke of this as her second birthday.

When the shock began to wear off, her goals changed. Pam wanted to focus on working on behalf of the disability community—first on the North Shore, then Greater Vancouver and ultimately province-wide.

Pam worked extremely hard to maintain her physical health as much as possible, through physiotherapy and mentally through volunteering. She was an excellent collaborator and communicator. She sat on numerous committees and challenged politicians, civil servants and anyone who would listen. She also made many friends.

Co-chairing the Together Against Violence Network on the North Shore was a perfect example of her understanding of intersectional issues for people with disabilities. Pam always prioritized inclusion. Each November, she enlisted her mother, Ruth, to cut purple ribbons—thousands over the years—to raise awareness of the issues close to her heart.

And Pam was not just a “joiner.” Encouraging and creating advisory committees on disability became one of her most far-reaching contributions to change, not only in the general public’s attitudes, but in those involved in government decisions at every level.

She was instrumental in so many changes in transportation that we now take for granted, such as accessible buses and taxis, including education for drivers on how to respectfully and safely assist those with disabilities.

When it came to income security, Pam worked to improve the living situations for the many people who rely on government assistance and programs, addressing problems from rental costs to equipment expenses.

In 1998, the North Shore Disability Resource Centre opened and it continues its work today. Pam and her various teams raised money for a host of initiatives at the centre including public education.

She worked with youth, adults and seniors and was never afraid to speak up on behalf of others.

In the arts, it was her persistence and invincible approach that led to the wheelchair accessible renovation of Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.

On the quirky side, Pam was known for her love of owls! You may know an owl represents a wise creature–there’s a connection there–and she amassed a collection of owl-related photographs, trinkets, earrings and kitchen gadgets. You name it.

Her ultimate passion was the successful development of Disability Alliance BC. Pam was the first Executive Director and later sat on the Board of Directors for many years. She used her strong voice to advocate across the province for people with all types of disabilities.

Pam took a courageous stand beside Sue Rodriguez. She supported Rodriguez’s trailblazing right-to-die advocacy in the 90s that eventually lead to the creation of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in BC.

And she did so while also articulating the serious concerns about the potential for MAID to be misused around people with disabilities.

What follows are some thoughts from Pam’s friends and colleagues. The world is a much better place because of Pam. After her passing in May of this year, she will be missed by many and forgotten by none.

“Fearless and respected.”

“Gracious with her time and gave generously.”

“Able to retain her dry wit and knowing smile in the most difficult times.”

“Always kind and generous.”

“A good, truthful friend no matter what.”

“A stellar human being who made a tremendous contribution to our communities and, in many respects, changed so many people’s lives for the good.”

“An unflinching advocate for accessibility and the rights of people with disabilities.”

—–

Over the course of her 40-year working life, Margaret Fraser worked in a variety of roles with, and advocated for, people with a broad range of disabilities, frail and isolated seniors, youth at risk, new immigrants and adult literacy groups. She held hands-on roles as well as positions in management, and learned much about how folks progress through life–more than a university education can provide. Originally from Scotland, she immigrated to Canada in 1983. She remains an active volunteer in North Vancouver.

On February 10th, the Province of BC announced the phasing in of a new B.C. Children and Youth Disability Benefit program and B.C. Children and Youth Disability Supplement, replacing the current autism funding program. With these changes, which were developed in consultation with families, service providers and experts, the Province aims to reach thousands more children and youth with a range of disabilities. 

Details of the new Benefit and Supplement, as reported in the Province’s news release: 

• Over the course of 2026 and 2027, the new B.C. Children and Youth Disability Benefit will launch to provide families of children with significant disabilities with $6,500 or $17,000 per year based on their individual needs. 

• Starting July 2027, a new income-tested B.C. Children and Youth Disability Supplement will also become available to families with any child under age 18 who is eligible for the federal Disability Tax Credit. The supplement will provide up to $6,000 per year (based on the level of family net income), which families can use to pay for therapies, supports and services they believe are most helpful. The new supplement is designed to support families with middle and low incomes. 

DABC is very heartened by the opportunity for a wider diversity of children with disabilities and their families to receive key supports, and applaud the Province for taking these steps toward equitable access to financial support.  

We also recognize that some families receiving current autism supports may feel uneasy about these changes. We hope that these families will continue to receive the supports they need.  

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.