Alberta teachers have voted down a proposed four-year contract, meaning the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) could begin strike action as early as October 6. With many families worried about what comes next, the Alberta government has outlined a plan to support parents and students if schools close.
Direct Payments for Parents
Parents and guardians of children aged 12 and under in public, separate, or francophone schools would be eligible for daily payments of $30 per student (up to $150 per week) during a strike. These payments are meant to help cover costs such as childcare, tutoring, or other learning supports. The first payment would go out on October 31. Families will need to apply through Alberta.ca, using a verified account.
Learning at Home Resources
To help students keep learning, Alberta Education and Childcare has created a free online K–12 toolkit. The resources, available in English, French, and French immersion, cover core subjects like math, science, social studies, and language arts. Materials will be updated weekly to support at-home learning during any disruption.
Investing in Classroom Support
The government has also committed $100 million each year for three years to address classroom complexity. This funding will be used to hire 1,500 new education assistants, with the potential for an additional 725 depending on needs. Funding may also support assessments for autism, mental health, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech-language needs.
Premier Danielle Smith said:
“I’m disappointed that ATA members have rejected the settlement, but students and families need to know we’ll support them during this uncertain time. This plan provides direct payments to families and resources to keep students learning.”
Finance Minister Nate Horner added:
“Our goal is to keep kids in the classroom, and we’re ready to return to the bargaining table at any time.”
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said:
“This toolkit gives parents practical tools and flexibility to keep children engaged and learning if schools close.”
Key Facts:
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The rejected offer would have made Alberta teachers the highest paid in Western Canada after taxes, with general wage increases of 12% over four years and additional raises for most teachers of up to 17%.
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The deal also included funding for 3,000 new teachers to help with growing class sizes and complexity.
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Alberta has invested $8.6 billion in new and renovated schools over the last two years to support 80,000 new students.
The government says it remains committed to reaching a deal but will stand with families no matter what the ATA decides.