He fought years for financial aid for his long-term disability. He says system must change

A Quebec man with serious health issues is calling for changes to the way people with long-term disabilities are provided financial support from the province after spending four years fighting for adequate help.

George was diagnosed in 2013 with a synovial sarcoma in his left knee, which is a rare type of cancer that occurs near large joints.

In the following years, he had surgery to remove the tumour and underwent two total knee replacements — one due to arthritis — that left him unable to stand for long hours.

This resulted in him losing his longtime job as a security guard — where he socialized and made friends.

"Ever since I arrived in Canada, I have worked all the time. Even if I was sick or had trouble walking, I went to work," George said. 

CBC is not using his real name and has agreed to conceal his identity because he fears reprisal from his doctor and from agents with Quebec's social assistance program. 

Relying solely on his physical strength for employment and with no other work experience, George fell on hard times when his employment insurance coverage expired in 2018. He said he was diagnosed with serious symptomatic depression.

George said he had no choice but to apply for social assistance from Quebec — a move he said led to years of fighting to get his long-term disability recognized. 

"We have to fight our sickness, but also the system — both at the same time," he said.

At first, George only received the basic amount of money from the province's social assistance program, which is intended for people without any severe limitations to work.

He said the money wasn't enough for him to survive.

George was referred to the Organisation populaire des droits sociaux (OPDS), a community organization that defends the rights of people receiving social assistance, where Christophe Nadeau-Rioux became his counsellor. 

"I noticed he had significant health issues, and he had no [work limitations] related to social assistance at all," Nadeau-Rioux said.

In his eyes, George qualified for Quebec's social solidarity program, which offers increased financial assistance for people who have severely limited capacity for employment.