Majority of Albertans Favor Ending Public Funding for Private Schools

A recent survey indicates that a significant majority of residents in Alberta support the cessation of public funding for independent and private schools. Conducted by ThinkHQ Public Affairs, the survey revealed that 59 percent of respondents favored the proposed referendum question: “Should the Government of Alberta end its current practice of allocating funds to accredited private schools?” Meanwhile, only 26 percent opposed the motion, with 15 percent remaining undecided. When excluding undecided voters, the support rises to 69 percent.

The findings highlight an increasing concern regarding “direct democracy” initiatives within the province. This includes ongoing discussions about referendum questions related to Alberta’s independence and recall legislation against elected officials. A group named Alberta Funds Public Schools aims to gather enough signatures to qualify the question posed by ThinkHQ for an official referendum by a deadline of February 11, 2024.

Marc Henry, president of ThinkHQ, expressed concern over the implications of these results for Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides. He stated, “If you actually put this on a ballot and the numbers come in at 70 percent, are you actually going to withdraw the funding and potentially see a whole host of independent schools across the province close?” Henry noted that achieving such widespread agreement among voters is exceptionally rare in today’s political climate.

The survey results also come at a time when 20 United Conservative Party (UCP) Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are facing recall petitions, including Premier Danielle Smith from her Brooks-Medicine Hat riding. Additionally, one MLA from the New Democratic Party (NDP) is also under a recall petition. Henry anticipates that these developments may prompt amendments to legislation regarding referendum questions and recall petitions, as they could pose further challenges for the ruling UCP.

The results of the survey may signal a shift in public opinion regarding education funding in Alberta, an issue that has garnered increasing attention in recent years. As discussions continue, the implications for independent schools and the broader educational landscape in Alberta remain to be seen.