When I look back on the three weeks teachers were on strike, I feel a mix of emotions. At the forefront are anger, frustration and pride. Anger that there was no path to a fair, negotiated settlement. Frustration that the government used legislation that suspends Charter rights to send us back to work. But most of all, pride. Pride in the way teachers and school leaders across Alberta showed up every day, united in our belief that students deserve better and that public education is worth fighting for.
For three weeks, teachers rallied, went on walks to raise awareness and shared their stories with communities across the province. This historic strike wasn’t only for higher wages, but for conditions that allow all students to thrive. Things like smaller class sizes, adequate support for complex learning needs and respect for our professional expertise.
Then came Bill 2, a piece of legislation that determined the contract teachers will work under and restricted the rights for teachers to negotiate for our working conditions—our students’ learning conditions.
Removing class size and composition from collective bargaining silences the very people who have the deepest understanding of classrooms and what students truly need to succeed.
In under 12 hours, and with limited debate, Bill 2 told teachers that their voices don’t matter to this government. That their lived experiences don’t matter. That what is happening inside our classrooms doesn’t matter. That message isn’t just demoralizing, it is dangerous, because when those on the front lines are silenced, meaningful progress becomes impossible.
This strike brought to light the issues teachers have been quietly dealing with for a long time:
- Classrooms stretched beyond capacity
- Supports for complex needs spread impossibly thin
- Teachers and school leaders doing more with less every day
Now we are unable to advocate for improvements through the collective bargaining process. But that doesn’t make those issues go away. It only makes them harder to fix and pushes solutions even further out of reach.
... trust cannot be mandated. It must be earned through listening, transparency and respect for the people who make learning possible every day.
Since returning to school, I’ve felt the weight of exhaustion. Many teachers are feeling disheartened and frustrated that their concerns and lived experiences aren’t being respected. The government has said it wants to work with teachers and that it values what we have to say. But with the passing of Bill 2, trust has been broken, and rebuilding that trust will take more than time.
Public education is built on a foundation of collaboration, trust and respect. It depends on government, school leaders, teachers and families all working together toward a common goal: to create the best conditions for students to learn and reach their potential. But trust cannot be mandated. It must be earned through listening, transparency and respect for the people who make learning possible every day.
The breach of trust has served to deepen divisions in our province when what we need most right now is unity. Teachers are ready to be part of the solution. We always have been.
It’s not too late to rebuild trust, but it will require significant work. Rebuilding trust starts with genuine and active listening to the people who work in schools every day. It means valuing and elevating teachers’ voices, not silencing them.
Because when teachers are heard, respected and valued, students succeed. And that is what every teacher in Alberta’s public schools wants. That is exactly what we have been—and will not stop—fighting for.
Assistant Principal, Calgary
Meaghan Boutillier has been part of Alberta’s teaching profession for 18 years. She is currently an assistant principal in Calgary.
