Alberta Premier Proposes Education Commission Following Teachers Strike

EDMONTON – Following the conclusion of a provincewide teachers strike, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has proposed the formation of a commission to address the future of education in the province. This announcement comes after teachers represented by the Alberta Teachers’ Association walked off the job on October 6, 2025, impacting approximately 740,000 students across 2,500 schools.

Smith’s call for a new commission aims to create “new models” that will address significant issues such as classroom complexity and resource allocation. The Premier made these remarks during an event organized by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, where thousands of demonstrators assembled to advocate for increased investments in education.

The strike has focused on critical points of contention, including teacher wages, support systems, and classroom sizes. Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, responded to Smith’s suggestion, expressing that the union is not seeking more commissions or committees but rather immediate action that will directly enhance classroom conditions.

A considerable turnout of between 8,000 and 10,000 people participated in the march outside the event venue, emphasizing the urgency of the education funding issue. Both the government and the union have not provided updates regarding when negotiations may resume, leaving many educators and parents anxious about the continuation of the strike.

Smith indicated that if the situation escalates to a point where it threatens to cause irreparable harm to students’ education, her government would contemplate implementing measures to compel teachers back to work. The legislature is set to reconvene in the last week of October, and the Premier’s comments suggest a growing concern over the impact of the ongoing strike.

The last major teachers strike in Alberta occurred in 2002, which led to the establishment of a commission to evaluate the education system. Smith’s current proposal echoes that initiative as a potential path forward in resolving the ongoing labor dispute and addressing longstanding challenges within the educational framework.

As the situation develops, the focus remains on reaching a negotiated settlement that prioritizes the needs of students, teachers, and the broader educational community in Alberta.