Chanting “We all want what students need!” and “Stand up, fight back!”, thousands of teachers and other public education supporters rallied at the Alberta legislature building on Budget Day 2025.
This year’s provincial budget announcement coincided with the Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention (GETCA) this year, so the three Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) locals with teachers attending GETCA — Edmonton Catholic Teachers Local No. 54, Edmonton Public Teachers Local No. 37 and Fort McMurray Local No. 48 — seized the opportunity to organize a march and rally in defense and support of public education.
“Everyone is impacted by public education, whether you have children in schools, work in a school or have no direct connection with schools. An educated and capable society is a strong and thriving one,” read a statement from Amber Nicholson, Heather Quinn and Jay Duffett, the local presidents of Edmonton Catholic, Edmonton Public and Fort McMurray, respectively.
As the convention programming wrapped up on Feb. 27, teachers donned red toques and picked up signs and flags before marching together from the Edmonton Convention Centre to the legislature grounds. Their arrival was met with cheers from Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members, education support workers engaged in labour action who had held their own rally on Budget Day.
Showing solidarity with these coworkers is empowering for everyone, say Nicholson, Quinn and Duffett.
“Properly funding education will ensure that we have enough teachers, support staff and space to offer students the best education possible so they can reach their full potential, regardless of their socio-economic background or abilities.”
In crisis
Teachers, local executive members and other public education supporters took to the stairs of the legislature building to voice concerns on challenges affecting public education in Alberta, including inadequate supports for students, increased standardized testing, and public funding of private and charter schools. The message was clear: Alberta’s children and youth deserve equitable access to quality education.
Taking the mic, teacher Owen Holloway emphasized the importance of creating safe, inclusive and caring spaces in which all students can thrive. Referencing Alberta legislation on sex education, student pronouns and transgender youth, Holloway called for teachers and parents to work together to protect students against harmful policy.
“The Teaching [Quality Standard] and Leadership Quality Standard require us to provide a safe, inclusive, supportive environment for all students,” Holloway said. “We must maintain the ability to exercise our professional judgment to ensure the well-being of each student is what drives action.”
Kevin McBean, another teacher, also emphasized the need to support all of Alberta’s students. He stated that his desire to help all students succeed remains steadfast, but that he is frustrated by the deteriorating teaching and learning conditions.
“We are tired of sounding the alarm on overflowing schools and infrastructure needs that are at crisis level,” said McBean.
In a statement to the ATA, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said that the provincial government is providing more funding for education and building more schools, with a large investment in Budget 2025, and more planned in 2026 and 2027. However, speakers contended that the current funding and new builds fall short, especially with public funds being funnelled into private and charter schools.
“Public education is the backbone of democracy, the fuel of opportunity and the foundation of a just and equitable society,” said Nicholson, Edmonton Catholic’s local president. “If we fail to invest in public education, we create a society where opportunity is a luxury rather than a guarantee.”
Wing Li, communications director for Support Our Students Alberta, echoed that public education is key to advancing social equity. Speaking on choice in education, Li argued that choices are not universal when they are privatized and not accessible to all students.
“We are reclaiming public education because it belongs to the people,” Li said.
“Long live public education”
Speakers urged supporters to take action to protect public education. Call your MLA. Reach out to your school board trustees. Share the message that public education is vital to Alberta’s future.
As the rally came to a close, former Edmonton poet laureate Ahmed “Knowmadic” Ali left the crowd with a key message to remember.
“If you want a better future, you need more than just a little bit of spare change. We need true wealth and investment in our children. … Long live public education.” ❚
