Students across Alberta left their classrooms on Thursday to rally at the provincial legislature, protesting the government’s decision to force striking teachers back to work. Many wore red clothing and carried homemade signs to show solidarity with educators. The walkouts, coordinated through social media, spread to several schools as students voiced frustration with what they described as an attack on teachers’ rights. The demonstrations followed the provincial government’s move to fast-track a back-to-work bill through the legislature earlier this week. Premier Danielle Smith’s gove

It's going to be a busy day for Alberta schools today as more than 740,000 students are set to return to class following the end of a provincewide teachers strike. Classes are resuming after Premier Danielle Smith's government invoked the Charter's notwithstanding clause to order 51,000 teachers back to work. Students have been out for more than three weeks, and Smith has said the strike has caused irreparable harm and that the government had no other choice. School boards have advised parents they expect classes to be up and running, but there may be delays and changes to everyth

Alberta’s teachers say they will obey a new provincial law forcing them back to work, but are condemning the government’s use of the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to end their strike. The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) said Tuesday the decision by Premier Danielle Smith’s government to invoke the clause represents what it called a serious misuse of legislative power. The union said it will explore all possible legal avenues to contest the bill, which was passed early Tuesday morning to mandate a return to classrooms. More than 740,000 students have been out of school for thre

A Calgary resident is facing multiple charges after border officers discovered nearly 77 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a commercial truck entering Canada at the Coutts port of entry. Officials estimate the drugs have a street value of about $7 million. According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), officers made the discovery during a secondary inspection of the vehicle, which was attempting to cross into Alberta from the United States. The driver was taken into custody at the scene. The Integrated Border Enforcement Team – a joint operation involving the RCMP Federal Policing North

The Alberta government is preparing to introduce emergency legislation that would end the province-wide teachers’ strike and require educators to return to their classrooms. Premier Danielle Smith said the strike, which began on October 6, has disrupted students’ learning for too long and must be resolved through government action if no last-minute agreement is reached. The government’s plan would compel thousands of striking teachers to resume work immediately. Negotiations between the province and the Alberta Teachers’ Association have stalled over wage increases and classroom condit

The Alberta government has agreed to pay $95 million to Evolve Power, resolving another lawsuit linked to the province’s reversal of its coal policy. The latest settlement brings total payouts to almost $240 million, following a $143 million agreement reached earlier this year with another mining company. According to a notice to shareholders, Evolve Power will return two coal leases to the province as part of the deal. The company said the agreement represents the best possible outcome and that its board will soon determine dividends for shareholders. Energy Minister Brian Jean’s office c

Alberta’s chief electoral officer has approved a recall petition targeting Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, marking the first use of the province’s recall legislation since it was introduced in 2021. The petition, submitted by Calgary resident Jennifer Yeremiy, accuses Nicolaides of failing to effectively manage Alberta’s public education system amid concerns about classroom overcrowding and staffing shortages. Yeremiy’s application argues that these issues make Nicolaides “unfit” to continue serving as both minister and representative for Calgary-Bow. Nicolaides responded

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will introduce back-to-work legislation on Monday if no deal is reached to end the provincewide teachers’ strike. Smith said the walkout, now in its third week, has caused “intolerable hardship” for students and families, adding that the government cannot allow the disruption to continue. The strike has shut down classrooms for about 51,000 teachers and 750,000 students in public, separate, and francophone schools across the province. While formal negotiations between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the province are not currently

Alberta's legislative assembly is set to return today with a throne speech kicking off the fall sitting. The assembly will return just as a provincewide teachers strike nears the end of its third week, and teachers are expected to rally outside while members take in the speech. The government is expected to table back-to-work legislation, with Premier Danielle Smith previously saying it could happen as soon as next week if the strike goes on. Government house leader Joseph Schow has said the government will introduce at least 15 bills this sitting, including new rules to prevent lo