Back to School Act

By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA

Every parent knows how much a stable, reliable routine matters for their kids. The teachers’ strike brought uncertainty into homes across our province. Parents were juggling schedules, students missed out on valuable learning time, and families were caught in a situation that no one wanted to see drag on.

This disruption had gone on far too long, families needed solutions, and students needed to get back to school. That’s why Alberta’s government introduced and passed Bill 2, the Back to School Act. This targeted legislation ended the strike, restored stability in the education system, and ensured students returned to the classroom as quickly as possible.

The decision to use the notwithstanding clause wasn’t one that we took lightly. But when thousands of students are missing school and parents are facing weeks of uncertainty, we had to act in the public interest.

The Back to School Act puts students first and respects the vital role of teachers. It establishes fair and reasonable terms for a new teacher collective agreement, including a 12 per cent salary increase over four years, additional market adjustments of up to 17 per cent for most teachers, and funding to hire 3,000 new teachers and 1,500 educational assistants. That means smaller class sizes and more help for kids who need it.

We also understand that teachers are facing greater challenges than ever before. Alberta’s classrooms are more complex, with many students requiring extra help and more incidents of classroom aggression. That’s why we created the Class Size and Complexity Task Force to find real solutions, update special education standards, and collect better classroom data to guide funding decisions.

Our commitment to Alberta families extends beyond just ending the strike. Budget 2025 invests $8.6 billion to build and modernize 130 schools across the province, ensuring every child learns in a safe, modern environment close to home. And for families who faced extra costs during the strike, Alberta’s government launched the Parent Payment Program, providing $30 per day per student and $60 per day for students with disabilities, to help cover childcare and other costs incurred during the strike.

Now that the Back to School Act is law, Alberta’s students are back where they belong, in their classrooms, surrounded by friends, learning, and returning to their routines. As we move forward, our government remains focused on strengthening education, supporting teachers, and putting the success of students at the heart of every decision we make.

As we strengthen K–12 education, we’re also focused on ensuring that opportunities for lifelong learning and career training keep pace with Alberta’s growing economy. Our commitment to students doesn’t end at graduation; it extends to helping Albertans of all ages access the education and training they need to build successful futures.

Our government is proposing updates to the rules for private career colleges to better protect students and ensure programs prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. We are committed to ensuring that students get the quality education they pay for, and the skills Alberta’s economy needs. That is why the province is putting forward amendments to modernize the Private Vocational Training Act, which sets out how private career colleges operate in the province.

Private career colleges play an important role in helping Albertans gain practical, career-focused training. The proposed updates will bring the more than 20-year-old legislation up to date and in line with other provinces, improve accountability and strengthen confidence in the sector, and ensure students are protected as they invest in their education.

(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)