2025 Alberta teachers' strike

2025 Alberta teachers' strike
Strikers rallying at the Alberta Legislature Building
Date	October 6, 2025 (2025-10-06) – October 29, 2025 (2025-10-29) (23 days)
Location	Alberta, Canada
Caused by	Disagreements over the terms of a new labour contract
Goals	Increased pay, class-size reduction, and additional employee benefits
Resulted in	Alberta's teachers ordered back to work by the Government of Alberta using the Back to School Act and the notwithstanding clause Alberta's teachers unable to enact strike action until August 31, 2028 Threats of a general strike by the Alberta Federation of Labour
Parties
Alberta Teachers' Association Government of Alberta Alberta Ministry of Education
Lead figures
Jason Schilling Danielle Smith Demetrios Nicolaides Nate Horner
Units involved
51,000 teachers United Conservative Party caucus

Two children being interviewed about the strike.

The 2025Alberta teachers' strike was a public education teachers' strike and labour dispute that took place across Alberta, Canada, and affected the province's education system, resulting in a suspension of classes from October 6, 2025 to October 29, 2025.

The strike, organized by the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA), was the result of multiple disagreements with the Government of Alberta over the terms of a new labour contract.

The strike was announced on September 29, 2025, after an offer by the government was declined. ^[1] The strike began on October 6, 2025, with 51,000 teachers on strike. ^{[2] [3]} Due to the strike, all public education classes were cancelled, impacting 730,000 students, ^{[4] [5] [6]} and 2,500 public, separate, and francophone schools. ^[7]

Background

The Alberta Teachers' Association focused on seeking better working conditions, increased pay, and class-size reduction. ^[8] Many schools reported overcrowded classrooms, with some exceeding 40 students. ^[9] Underfunding for education in Alberta was also cited as a key contributor to the strike. By the time of the strike, spending per K-12 student was $13,494 in Alberta, the lowest among all provinces in Canada. ^{[10] [11] [12]} Alberta also ranked highest in percentage of per-student funding to independent private schools. ^[13]

At a rally, with one of the signs saying "38 kids in my class is too many," highlighting concerns about Alberta's overcrowded classrooms.

Rallies

After the strike announcement, multiple rallies were organized across Alberta (primarily in Calgary and Edmonton), ^[14] mainly to support educators. ^[15] A notable rally occurred on October 5, 2025, at the Alberta Legislature Building, where thousands of people attended. ^{[16] [17] [18]}

Back to School Act passage

Alberta's premier, Danielle Smith, ordered teachers back to work on October 29, following the passage of the Back to School Act (Bill 2). ^{[19] [20]} Because of this, teachers are not permitted to strike until August 31, 2028, when the legislation expires. ^[21]

Albertan students participating in walkouts to support teachers.

Aftermath

Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, held a press conference following the passing of Bill 2, saying "We will begin the process of organizing towards a potential general strike." ^[22] He was joined by leaders from the province's other major unions, forming a collective known as the Common Front.

Student walkouts

In response to the passing of Bill 2, thousands of students in schools across the province participated in student walkouts in support of the teachers, mainly in middle and high schools. ^{[23] [24] [25]}

References

1. "Alberta teachers edge toward a strike with salaries a key issue". The Globe and Mail. October 3, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
2. Sousa, Aaron. "Alberta parents, schools brace for impact ahead of province-wide teachers' strike". CBC.
3. "Alberta parents, schools brace for impact ahead of province-wide teachers' strike | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
4. Villani, Mark (October 4, 2025). "Lost money, learning and fun: Students struggle with thought of prolonged teachers' strike". CTVNews. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
5. Said, Amir. "Alberta teachers are now on strike. Here's what that means for Calgary students, parents, school support staff". CBC.
6. Press, The Canadian (October 6, 2025). "Classes suspended in Alberta as provincewide teachers strike set to begin today". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
7. "Classes suspended in Alberta as provincewide teachers strike begins | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
8. "Alberta teachers strike likely after union rejects contract offer | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
9. "Class size issues top of mind for Albertans | Alberta Teachers' Association". teachers.ab.ca. October 31, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
10. "Education Spending in Public Schools in Canada, 2025 Edition | Fraser Institute". www.fraserinstitute.org. August 28, 2025. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
11. Barrow, Tyler (September 9, 2025). "Classrooms sizes and spending per student remain hot topics in Alberta teacher strike". CTVNews. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
12. "Annual expenditure by educational institutions per student, by educational level, 2022/2023". Statistics Canada. October 24, 2025.
13. Carmichael, Jackie. "'Ideological difference': Private-school funding question approved amid Alberta teachers' strike". Edmonton Journal.
14. "Albertans rally for teachers with strike set for Monday". CityNews Edmonton. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
15. "Ahead of Alberta teachers' strike, thousands rally in Edmonton to support educators". The Globe and Mail. October 5, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
16. "Thousands rally at Alberta Legislature for public education as teachers' strike looms". CBC.
17. "Alberta teachers say what they want is clear, hours before strike scheduled to start". CTVNews. October 5, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
18. "Alberta teachers rally on Legislature steps ahead of strike | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
19. Bellefontaine, Michelle; Teeling, Katie. "Striking Alberta teachers forced back to work by fast-tracked legislation, notwithstanding clause". CBC.
20. "Alberta passes bill to use notwithstanding clause to end teacher strike | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
21. "BILL 2 BACK TO SCHOOL ACT" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
22. "'General strike if necessary': Alberta unions declare intent to bring down UCP government | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
23. "'We have to stand up': Students across Calgary walk out in support of their teachers". Calgary Herald. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
24. "Students across Alberta show support for teachers in walkout". CTV News. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
25. "Calgary students among thousands across Alberta taking part in provincewide walkout". CBC News. Retrieved October 30, 2025.