This afternoon, the Alberta Government announced they will be directing more money towards mental health supports in schools. This is funding that had already been promised in Budget 2025. In response, Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling has released the following statement.
"Today’s announcement of more money being directed to mental health supports in schools is nothing more than the government polishing up an old funding commitment that was made almost a year ago in Budget 2025. This is not new money. It’s money that was promised nine months ago but that has not been acted upon.
These budgeted funds should have been available to the school boards at the beginning of the school year, not in December. This is nothing more than an attempt to make it look like the government is doing something about an education issue that was thrust into the spotlight during the teachers’ recent job action.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association has been advocating for increased and sustainable student mental health supports for years. It’s a real need that must be addressed with more than a regurgitated funding promise to shine up a tarnished image. The Association will keep pushing to see tangible progress rather than more political promises."
Watch Minister Nicolaides' news conference announcing the funding.