It is highly hypocritical of the Liberal government to promote working towards an end to bullying today, on Pink Shirt Day, while systematically bullying and oppressing people with disabilities. Cancelling the $45 annual bus pass cost and forcing people who live under the poverty line to pay $669 annually ($52 per month plus $45 administration fee) is bullying. Keeping the annual $45 bus pass for seniors but cancelling it for people with disabilities is bullying (especially as the Liberals are touting the change as equitable). Telling people with disabilities that the so-called increase is theirs to choose how to use, while forcing a new $52 a monthly transit fee is bullying. When one has to already choose between housing, medication, medical costs and groceries, adding an unfair burden like transit fees raised by 14x in one fell swoop is bullying. Knowing that some people with disabilities will choose to use their so-called increase on food, rent, meds or medial needs instead of transit, leading to increased isolation and depression for people with disabilities is bullying. Wear your pink shirt if you want today, but know that the disability community and supporters know you wear it while systematically bullying and oppressing people with disabilities. Shame on you!
