Alberta to Table Back-to-Work Legislation Monday to End Provincewide Teachers’ Strike
After nearly three weeks of shuttered classrooms and stalled talks, the Alberta government will move to end the provincewide teachers’ strike with back-to-work legislation on Monday.
Premier Danielle Smith confirmed Thursday that her government will table Bill 2 — the Back to School Act — when the legislature reconvenes next week.
“The precondition has to be getting kids back to school,” Smith said. “So far, [the teachers’ union has] been unwilling to do that.”
Roughly 51,000 public, separate, and francophone teachers have been on strike since October 6, leaving about 750,000 students out of class across Alberta. Negotiations with the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) have stalled over wages, class sizes, and classroom support.
The government has offered a 12% wage increase over four years and pledged to hire 3,000 additional teachers, but the union rejected the proposal, calling it insufficient.
Smith said there is still time to reach a deal before Monday, but she called that outcome “unlikely.”
Union and Opposition Push Back
The ATA said it anticipated the government’s legislative move but wants to review the bill before deciding next steps.
“Our members have been clear — they want improvements that allow students to thrive and teachers to do their jobs,” said ATA president Jason Schilling.
Schilling added that while teachers prefer a negotiated settlement, they will consider legal action if the legislation forces them back to work.
Meanwhile, Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi denounced the government’s plan as “an attack on teachers, on public education, and on workers’ rights.”
Official Opposition House Leader Christina Gray said the United Conservative Party is undermining constitutionally protected collective bargaining.
“Labour across Canada is watching,” she warned. “This so-called freedom-loving government is rushing to take those rights away.”
Teachers Rally at Legislature
Thousands of educators gathered outside the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton Thursday, rallying for better funding and classroom support.
Many expressed frustration that returning to work under the same conditions would feel like defeat.
“The way this government treats us makes me feel like I don’t want to teach here anymore,” said Charlotte Rollans, a Grade 6 teacher from Edmonton.
“It feels like we’re going back to the same problems we’re trying to fix,” added Feikje Deinum, a special needs teacher.
Government Says Return Could Be Swift
Finance Minister Nate Horner, who oversees the government’s bargaining agency, said the aim is simple: end the strike and resume learning.
“We’re looking to end the strike,” Horner said. “Unions have to decide what they want to do — but that’s our goal.”
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said schools are preparing for a quick return once Bill 2 passes.
“Boards know the legislation is coming and are making preparations,” he said.
The order paper released Thursday indicates the government may fast-track Bill 2, limiting debate to one hour per reading to expedite its passage.
Smith defended the move, saying the strike has gone on long enough.
“We’ve never had a strike of this magnitude before,” she said. “When irreparable harm is being caused to kids, that’s where we have to draw the line.”
