Alberta Government Faces Pressure to End Teachers’ Strike

EDMONTON – The Alberta government is under increasing pressure to introduce legislation aimed at ending a provincewide strike by teachers. This strike, which has now entered its third week, involves approximately 51,000 teachers and is impacting the education of 750,000 students across public, separate, and francophone schools.

Government house leader Joseph Schow has remained tight-lipped regarding the timeline and specifics of potential back-to-work legislation. As the legislature prepares to reconvene this week, Schow stated that no final decisions have been made. The house will be addressing various legislative matters, including the anticipated speech from the throne, scheduled for Thursday.

Ongoing Stalemate Over Key Issues

During a press briefing last week, Premier Danielle Smith indicated that teachers should expect back-to-work legislation soon. She emphasized that the ongoing strike is causing “irreparable harm” to students, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The strike has reached a stalemate, with teachers and the government divided over issues such as wages and working conditions.

Teachers have voiced their concerns regarding overcrowded classrooms, insisting on necessary changes to improve their working environment. The tension between the two sides has escalated, leading to widespread disruption in educational services.

The government’s reluctance to disclose details about the legislative process raises questions about the transparency of its approach to resolving the conflict. With students’ education at stake, parents and community members are increasingly calling for a swift resolution to the strike.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on October 21, 2025.