Alberta Government to Introduce Back-to-Work Legislation to End Teachers' Strike

Premier Announces 'Back to School Act'

Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith announced on Thursday, October 23, 2025, that her government intends to introduce back-to-work legislation on Monday, October 27, 2025, to bring an end to the ongoing province-wide teachers' strike. The proposed legislation, officially named Bill 2, the Back to School Act, seeks to compel teachers to return to classrooms amidst a labour dispute that has disrupted education for hundreds of thousands of students across Alberta.

The Ongoing Labour Dispute

The strike, organized by the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA), commenced on October 6, 2025, marking the first-ever province-wide job action by the union and becoming the longest and largest in Alberta's history. Approximately 51,000 teachers from public, Catholic, and francophone schools have been off the job, impacting an estimated 730,000 to 750,000 students and 2,500 schools. The Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) also issued a lockout notice effective October 9, 2025.

The primary demands from the ATA include:

• Meaningful wage increases that account for rising inflation.
• Significant reductions in class sizes.
• Improved working conditions for educators.
• A legal mechanism to ensure adequate staffing and control student-teacher ratios.

Government's Stance and Legislative Details

Premier Smith, leader of the United Conservative Party, has characterized the strike as causing 'irreparable harm' and 'intolerable hardship' to students and their families. The government had previously offered teachers a 12% raise over four years, alongside commitments to hire an additional 3,000 teachers and 1,500 educational assistants, an offer they claim would make Alberta teachers the highest paid in Western Canada. This offer was rejected by the ATA, which also declined a government proposal for 'enhanced mediation' that excluded discussions on class sizes and student-teacher ratios.

Bill 2 is expected to be tabled in the legislature on Monday, October 27. House Leader Joseph Schow is anticipated to propose motions to fast-track the bill, potentially allowing it to pass through multiple stages of debate within one or two days. Given the UCP government's majority, the legislation is widely expected to pass. Once proclaimed, the back-to-work legislation could mandate teachers to return to schools within 24 to 48 hours, rendering further strike action illegal. Non-compliance could lead to fines or penalties for teachers or the ATA.

Reactions and Next Steps

ATA President Jason Schilling has strongly condemned the government's move, calling it 'undemocratic and deeply disrespectful' to teachers, students, and the collective bargaining process. He stated that the ATA is consulting with its lawyers and will determine its response once the exact wording of the bill is made public. Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi of the NDP has also voiced vehement opposition, describing the legislation as an 'abuse of democratic rights.'

Thousands of teachers and their supporters have participated in rallies across Alberta, including significant demonstrations outside the provincial legislature in Edmonton. In anticipation of the legislation, some school divisions have advised families not to send their children to school on Monday, awaiting clear directives on when classes will resume. Due to the instructional disruptions caused by the strike, Alberta Education has made the November 2025 diploma exams optional for all students.