The spring sitting of the legislature began on February 24 and is scheduled to run until May 14. Here is a summary of the education-related discussions that took place in question period during the week of March 9.
Teacher Recruitment and Retention, March 12
In a Members’ Statement, Amanda Chapman, (NDP MLA for Calgary-Beddington), highlighted concerns about teacher recruitment and retention in Alberta, pointing to repeated shortfalls in meeting provincial teacher hiring targets. She said the government missed its target of hiring 1,045 teachers last year by nearly half and noted that targets have also been missed in several previous years.
Chapman linked recruitment challenges to working conditions and funding, stating that “it’s this minister and this government who set the stage for the working conditions and funding for those teachers.”
She also questioned the appeal of the profession under current conditions, asking, “Who wants to be a teacher in Alberta right now? Not many people, it seems.” Chapman said many new teachers are leaving the profession and noted that Alberta is losing teachers to other Canadian provinces.
She concluded by expressing support for educators, saying, “On this side of the House, we support teachers.”
Education Funding, March 9
Brandon Lunty (UCP MLA for Leduc–Beaumont) raised concerns about overcrowded schools driven by rapid population growth and federal immigration and asked what the government is doing to build more schools and support students.
Nicolaides said Budget 2026 includes 40 new school projects, bringing the total to 161 active projects, including new schools in Beaumont and Leduc. He also pointed to investments to address classroom complexity, including a classroom complexity grant, $143 million for 476 complexity teams and $355 million in new funding.
In a follow-up question, Lunty asked Nicolaides to compare the government’s education investments with those made by the previous NDP government.
Nicolaides responded that the current government had approved 77 school projects compared to 48 under the NDP and said Budget 2026 education spending is about 30 per cent higher than the operating budget under the NDP.
Labour Relations with Teachers, March 10
Amanda Chapman, MLA for Calgary-Beddington, said teachers feel disrespected and demoralized after the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause during labour action. She cited survey results showing only 2 per cent of teachers feel hopeful about classroom conditions and asked what the minister would say to burnt-out teachers.
Nicolaides responded that after three weeks of job action with no resolution, the government intervened to ensure students returned to classrooms, stating that students’ best interests had to guide the decision.
In follow-up comments, Chapman raised concerns about burnout in the teaching profession, overcrowded classrooms and funding shortages, noting that many teachers plan to retire early or leave the profession. She asked how the government would meet its teacher hiring targets after failing to do so the previous year.
Nicolaides said Alberta has a strong education system with high student performance. He pointed to a 7 per cent increase in operating funding and an $8.6 billion school construction initiative as evidence of the government’s investment.
In a final question, Chapman asked whether the government would take responsibility for worsening conditions in the education system and the potential loss of teachers.
Nicolaides rejected the claim that the system is in chaos, saying Alberta graduates about 2,000 education students annually, certifies about 800 teachers from other provinces, offers the highest take-home pay for teachers in western Canada, and has deployed 476 classroom complexity teams to help address workload challenges.
School Construction in Calgary, March 12
Gurinder Brar (NDP MLA Calgary-North East) raised concerns about rising education property taxes during a cost-of-living crisis, noting the provincial education property tax is increasing by more than 20 per cent and asking why the government is raising taxes on Calgarians.
Minister of Finance Nate Horner responded that the province is returning to a policy where 33 per cent of education operating costs are funded through education property taxes, explaining the change in tax rates for residential and commercial properties.
In a follow-up comment, Brar said residents in his constituency face overcrowded classrooms and still lack new schools despite paying higher education taxes. He asked how the government could justify the increase while communities remain without schools.
Nicolaides replied that multiple school projects are under way in the area, listing several schools planned or under construction in Cornerstone, Redstone, Livingston and north Calgary.
In a final question, Brar asked whether those schools actually exist “on the ground,” saying communities in his area still need at least eight new schools.
Nicolaides responded that school construction takes time for planning and design, invited Brar to attend future openings, and said the current government prioritized schools in the riding while the previous NDP government had not.
