By Canadian Press with files from Tanner Smith

Legislation Coming Monday

Teachers say back-to-work legislation will make things worse for students

Oct 24, 2025 | 9:36 AM

Teachers in Alberta say the province’s planned back-to-work legislation will only make things worse for their students.

Ewelina Warchol, who teaches in Edmonton, says it’s becoming harder and harder to help all her students in a failing education system.

She was one of thousands of teachers and supporters who jeered and chanted in a protest at the Alberta legislature Thursday.

Premier Danielle Smith says barring an 11th-hour deal, her government will bring in the legislation Monday to get children back to class.

Smith says students have been out for almost three weeks and that is too long and causing too much harm to their education.

MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti Ron Weibe calls the current state “a delicate situation.”

“We all want the kids back in the classroom, and we want a fair deal for the teachers and we want a fair deal for the taxpayers. So we’ll have to figure out a way to get this done so that we can get our kids back into school.”

“There’s some options on the table for the government, so we’ll see what happens next week. But I’m optimistic that we can find a resolution somehow.”

Weibe stopped short of saying a resolution would be found through bargaining with the ATA, adding, “that’s above my pay grade.”

Lynne Zwicker, a teacher and parent, says by the government not investing in public education, it is failing the future.

Shelby Olsen, a teacher of eight years, says brushing off teacher concerns gives the impression that the province just doesn’t care.

Kathy Penner, a high school teacher from Calgary, says she’s considered leaving Alberta if teachers don’t get more support.

(The Canadian Press)