Alberta Orders Striking Teachers Back to Work Amid Crisis

UPDATE: The Alberta government is set to introduce urgent legislation TODAY, mandating thousands of striking teachers to return to work. This decision comes as Premier Danielle Smith emphasizes the lengthy strike, which began on October 6, 2025, is severely impacting children’s education.

In a statement, Premier Smith declared the strike has gone on “far too long” and warned that a failure to reach an 11th-hour deal between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the government would force her hand. The proposed legislation aims to end the weeks-long disruption and bring students back to classrooms, highlighting the pressing need for resolution amid ongoing negotiations over wages and classroom conditions. The province’s latest proposal includes a 12% wage hike over four years and a commitment to hire 3,000 more teachers.

In addition to the education crisis, the Bank of Canada is anticipated to announce a cut to its benchmark interest rate this week, following a recent reduction to 2.5%. Despite recent job gains and rising inflation, experts predict a continued easing of monetary policy. The central bank’s decision will be crucial as it precedes the federal government’s upcoming fall budget.

Meanwhile, voters in Nunavut are heading to the polls today to elect their next member of the legislative assembly across 22 constituencies. Unlike traditional multi-party systems, candidates run as independents in a consensus-driven government model. Issues such as housing and education are central to the campaigns, particularly for incumbent MLA John Main and challenger Tony Uluadluak.

As Montreal prepares for its own elections on November 2, candidates are focusing on critical urban issues including homelessness and bike lane development. Leading candidate Soraya Martinez Ferrada of Ensemble Montréal is presenting herself as a transformative leader determined to address these challenges within her first term.

In an alarming report from Food Banks Canada, the nation’s hunger crisis is escalating, with nearly 2.2 million visits to food banks reported in March 2025—a staggering increase of 5% from last year and nearly double the number from before the pandemic. Lead author Richard Matern states that one-in-five visitors are working adults, underscoring the dire state of food security across the country.

Lastly, Canada is on the brink of losing its measles-free status for the first time since 1998. An outbreak that started in New Brunswick has now affected over 5,000 individuals, leading to tragic losses, including the deaths of two infants. Experts attribute this resurgence to declining vaccination rates fueled by misinformation and disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With multiple critical issues unfolding across Canada, residents are urged to stay informed and engaged as developments progress.