The spring session of the legislature has adjourned, with the house scheduled to return in late October. During the week of May 12, the following topics related to teachers and education were discussed in question period.
School Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal, May 14
Amanda Chapman, NDP MLA for Calgary-Beddington, highlighted massive deferred-maintenance backlogs in Edmonton and Calgary schools, argued that boards could only manage crisis repairs and pressed for funding solutions. Nicolaides countered that Budget 2025 included significant maintenance funds, plus an $8.6 billion program to build, modernize or replace nearly 100 schools. Chapman pointed out Calgary’s ongoing $10 million annual shortfall and asked how boards should cover the gap; Nicolaides dismissed her claims as fear mongering and reiterated the government’s new-build commitment. Chapman accused the government of neglecting existing facilities and overcrowding students; Nicolaides insisted funding was adequate and pivoted to criticize the previous NDP government’s economic record. ❚
