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

Parks Canada has confirmed that last year’s devastating wildfire in Jasper was sparked by lightning and intensified by strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions. Two new reports released by the agency outline how the July 2024 blaze destroyed roughly one-third of the community and forced about 25,000 residents and visitors to evacuate. The studies, commissioned following the disaster, found that existing fuel reduction work — including prescribed burns — helped limit the wildfire’s spread. However, they also concluded that larger and more frequent burns could have further reduced d

Vote counting in Alberta's municipal and school board elections has resumed. Few results were available after polls closed Monday night, as rule changes made by Premier Danielle Smith's government require votes be counted by hand rather than with machines. As of this morning, fewer than 25 per cent of polls for Edmonton's mayoral race have reported, with longtime councillor Andrew Knack leading over fellow councillor Tim Cartmell. In Calgary, unofficial results have former councillor Jeremy Farkas unseating incumbent mayor Jyoti Gondek, who has conceded. Jasper Mayor Richard Ire

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce says the provincewide teachers strike is starting to take a toll on businesses as it enters its ninth school day. Chamber president Doug Griffiths said while the organization remains neutral in the dispute, many employers are struggling with staff absences and reduced customer traffic. “It’s impacting everyone,” Griffiths told reporters Thursday, adding that many parents are staying home to care for children affected by school closures. About 51,000 teachers represented by their union walked off the job on October 6, leaving roughly 740,000 students out o

Alberta's finance minister says there's a major divide between what the union representing striking teachers is asking for and what the government is willing to spend. Nate Horner says in an interview with CHED radio host Shaye Ganam that the union's latest contract proposal would require almost $2 billion more in spending than government has set aside for a deal. Horner says he was hoping for a more reasonable ask from the Alberta Teachers' Association, whose 51,000 members went on strike Oct. 6. The union's proposal was the subject of a bargaining meeting Tuesday, the first time the two side