Multinational contractors managing Alberta’s new disability employment system: documents

Alberta’s new model of disability employment services will be managed by the Canadian affiliates of large international firms, procurement documents show. 

Posted online, the documents revealed the identity of these “prime contractors” which will oversee the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and refer clients to existing employment agencies.

ADAP, launching July 1, will coexist with Alberta’s current disability employment system called Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). Thousands of people currently on AISH will move to ADAP due to the province's new standards for the older program. 

AKG Canada, whose parent company is based in Australia, won a $47 million, five-year contract providing services in Edmonton and northern Alberta. 

Serco Canada, an affiliate of the U.K.-based contractor, will oversee ADAP employment services for Calgary and southern Alberta. The five-year Serco Canada contract is worth $51 million. 

The procurement document estimates 26,800 ADAP clients will be referred to the contractors during the active intake period of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029. An optional two-year extension period could see another 2,900 referrals. 

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/adap-multinational-contractor-aish-alberta-changes-9.7249421