Severe weather flooded the ATA’s main office building, Barnett House on Friday July 10.
Crews and administration are assessing damage and determining reclamation of key electrical systems.
Staff have transitioned to working from home, and continue to serve members online and by phone.
The Southern Alberta Regional Office (SARO) in Calgary is unaffected and conducts business per usual.
The proposed 2026–27 budget, prepared by Provincial Executive Council (PEC), is now complete and ready to be presented to teacher delegates convening in Calgary for the 109th Annual Representative Assembly (ARA) over the Victoria Day long weekend (May 16–18). The plan is balanced, maintains the current annual fee at $1,422, and supports the continuation of core programs and services while also identifying opportunities for targeted, long-term investment.
Throughout the budget development process, PEC reviewed a range of initiatives and proposals, engaged in thorough deliberations and made decisions by balancing fiscal considerations with member feedback. The fall’s provincewide labour action underscored the critical importance of sustainability and effective long-term planning, both of which are reflected in the proposed 2026–27 budget.
It is anticipated that delegates will engage with the budget through considered questions at ARA, and both elected representatives and staff will be on hand to offer information, context and responses.
In response to priorities identified by members, the proposed budget introduces three new targeted initiatives.
The first is a proposal to support training for local Substitute Teacher Committee chairs, arising from a recommendation of the Substitute Teachers Committee. Aligned with the Substitute Teachers’ Conference, this initiative will provide focused learning and support opportunities to strengthen participants’ skills and confidence in representing and assisting their colleagues.
Bill 2, the Back to School Act, was imposed by the Government of Alberta, ending strike action and legislating contract terms for members, with significant implications for collective bargaining rights across the profession. The Association subsequently launched a legal challenge and sought an injunction. While the injunction was not granted, the matter continues to proceed through the courts. The Association remains firmly committed to advancing this legal challenge, a position grounded in clear and consistent direction from members. Accordingly, the proposed budget includes dedicated resources to support this ongoing work as it proceeds through the courts.
As a final point, work in support of Truth and Reconciliation remains a core and enduring priority, requiring sustained focus. This commitment will continue in 2026/27 through the earmarking of funds specifically directed toward Indigenous Education development.
The following have been deleted and will no longer be budgeted:
The Professional Development (PD) Facilitator Corps is being discontinued, leading to the elimination of the following budget lines:
Further, to better align with current conference structures, the following budget lines are deleted:
Provincial Executive Council is proposing no change to the Association member fee.
| 2025–26 approved fee | 2026–27 proposed fee | |
| Total Fee | $1,422.00 | $1,422.00 |
| Funding for programs for which the local rebate does not apply | $210.00 | $237.00 |
| Net fee to distribute | $1,212.00 | $1,185.00 |
| Local rebate at 20 per cent | $242.40 | $237.00 |
| Balance of net fee (80 per cent) | $969.60 | $948.00 |
There are two parts to the Association’s budget. The nonrebatable section of the budget is funded in part by allocating a portion of the annual fee paid by members. As shown in the chart on page 10, this amount is expected to be $237 in 2026–27. This then results in a net fee to distribute, of which 20 per cent is rebated to local associations to fund their operations. The remaining portion of the fee is used to help fund activities and/or programs on the rebatable side of the budget.
Part 1: Budget subject to local rebate
The table below compares program area expenditures for the 2025–26 approved budget and the 2026–27 proposed budget. It also provides a general description of the mandate of each program area.
| Program area | Mandate | 2025–26 approved budget | 2026–27 proposed budget |
| Teacher Employment Membership Support (formerly Teacher Employment Services) |
| $9,517,000 | $10,015,700 |
| Professional Development |
| $6,384,800 | $6,625,600 |
| Government |
| $10,309,500 | $10,574,900 |
| Building |
| $3,350,700 | $3,208,500 |
| Operations |
| $5,951,200 | $6,189,800 |
| Nondepartmental Commitments |
| $1,817,900 | $1,873,200 |
| Food Services |
| $864,900 | $688,800 |
| Information and Technology Services |
| $3,192,800 | $3,489,200 |
Member fees required to fund the second part of the budget are not subject to the local rebate, and 100 per cent of these fees are available to fund provincial Association programs. The table below compares expenditures and allocations for the 2025–26 approved budget and the 2026–27 proposed budget and provides a brief description of the nature of the expenditures.
| Expenditure and allocation | Description | 2025–26 approved budget | 2026–27 proposed budget |
| Canadian Teachers’ Federation | Provides support for the Canadian Teachers’ Federation based on a per capita fee | $1,125,000 | $1,236,000 |
| Capital fund | Provides an annual allocation to the fund, which is used to purchase any capital assets and to fund capital projects | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Special emergency fund | Provides an annual allocation to the fund, which is used to fund emergent actions as approved by Provincial Executive Council | $500,000 | $2,200,000 |
| Technology services project development | Provides annual funding for IT-related projects and key initiatives such as the migration from Alinity to the cloud-based Microsoft Dynamics | $1,365,500 | $1,365,500 |
| Specialist council membership grants | Provides the annual operating grants to the Association’s specialist councils | $850,000 | $850,000 |
| Accountability Action Plan | Provides funding to support international partnerships focused on advancing system reform, as well as collaboration with subgroups and like-minded teachers’ organizations that advance the profession’s views | $105,000 | $105,000 |
| Mortgage | Provides for principal and interest payments on the mortgage in place for construction and renovations that were completed | $2,500,000 | $2,100,000 |
| Public relations campaign | Provides funding for a multidimensional public relations campaign to highlight the work of the Association and teachers to increase public awareness about the importance of public education and the need for appropriate funding for education | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
