Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Moves to Order Teachers Back to Work

Premier Danielle Smith is taking significant steps toward a potential back-to-work order for teachers in Alberta as discussions within her government intensify. A meeting among Smith’s inner circle took place on Tuesday, where strategies were discussed regarding the ongoing teachers’ strike. The government has emphasized that a back-to-work order is a measure of last resort, but time is running short for a resolution.

Alberta’s legislature will reconvene on October 23, 2023, with the Smith government expected to introduce a law aimed at returning teachers to the classroom by October 27, 2023. Joseph Schow, who serves as Smith’s legislative spokesperson, underscored the importance of getting children back into educational settings, stating, “I think everyone would agree kids belong in the classroom. As a government, we understand that.”

The urgency of the situation is clear. Schow did not specify when the back-to-work legislation would be introduced but indicated that the government would take necessary actions to ensure students receive the education they require. He remarked, “We are going to take whatever steps are needed to make sure kids are in the classroom and getting the education they need to be successful going forward.”

The Smith administration has made it clear that if no agreement is reached with the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) by the end of October, they are prepared to act decisively. Smith and her budget chief, Nate Horner, have consistently communicated that allowing the strike to continue could cause “irreparable harm” to students. Schow stated, “We are going to discuss all the means available to us,” signaling that the government is ready to explore various options to achieve their goal.

At the current moment, negotiations between the ATA and the Smith government are stalled, with both sides reportedly feeling further apart than before. As the potential legislation looms, Schow anticipates strong opposition from the Alberta NDP and its leader, Naheed Nenshi. He acknowledged, “I would suspect it wouldn’t be too far in saying the opposition would oppose such legislation vehemently.”

With the legislature session approaching, the Smith government is preparing for a contentious debate over the proposed back-to-work order. The outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for both the education sector in Alberta and the students who depend on it. The government’s actions in the coming weeks will be closely monitored as they navigate this challenging situation.