Alberta’s government is investing $22 million to enhance school safety across the province following the tragedy at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School this past February. The funding aims to strengthen physical security measures in schools and better prepare staff to respond to safety incidents.
On April 9, the province announced the initiative, saying that the funds are intended to ensure Alberta schools remain safe and secure environments for both students and staff. Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides said the province is taking steps to improve readiness and response capacity in schools.
“In response to the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, we are taking decisive action to strengthen school security and ensure staff are better prepared to respond in critical moments,” Nicolaides said. “Safety cannot be an afterthought, and we will continue working closely with school boards to make sure they have the infrastructure, tools and training needed to protect students and staff when it matters most.”
The new funding includes a one-time $20 million grant for upgrades to school security infrastructure, which will be distributed to school boards based on student enrolment. Eligible upgrades include direct safety upgrades, which include locks and doors, security cameras and security camera system software, and indirect safety updates, which include intercom and public announcement systems and exterior lighting.
In addition, $2 million has been earmarked for training on school safety for school leaders. Government staff shared that the training will be geared toward school leaders, given their key role in emergency response and decision making. Of the training funds, $1.75 million will be distributed to public school boards, while $250,000 will go to the Association of Independent Schools & Colleges in Alberta to deliver training for eligible independent school leaders.
The investment in Alberta’s school safety has been welcomed by several stakeholder groups, including Shali Baziuk, president of the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA).
“We appreciate that public, Catholic and francophone school boards, as voices of their local communities, will have the flexibility to determine how this funding is allocated to support safety, security and emergency preparedness,” Baziuk said in a statement.
Alongside the funding announced, the province stated that it will introduce provincial school safety standards for all public, separate, francophone, charter and accredited independent school authorities. The standards are expected to take effect next school year.
School security infrastructure funding allocations:
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