What do you want the public to know about the effects of Bill 2, the Back to School Act, and the notwithstanding clause? What do you need in your classroom to make it manageable, and why?
This February and March, teachers will have the opportunity to record their responses to these questions at teachers’ conventions across the province. Members can stop by the ATA table at their convention to ensure their voices are heard, with staff available to facilitate the recording.
This project aims to capture how the return-to-work legislation and the notwithstanding clause are affecting Alberta teachers and school leaders.
“We want to hear from our members,” said ATA president Jason Schilling. “Their experiences and insights are critical to understanding the impact of the government’s decisions on classrooms, students and the teaching profession.”
Back to the fall
Under Bill 2, teachers were legislated to return to work on October 29, 2025, after striking for 16 work days. Bill 2 also prohibits teachers from striking for the duration of the agreement, and suspends local bargaining while the agreement is in effect.
“In halting lawful labour action and imposing an agreement on teachers, Bill 2 was designed to break the union,” Schilling said. “But we remain strong.”
The bill outlined significant penalties for noncompliance, including fines of up to $500 per teacher per day and $500,000 per day for the ATA. Given the potential exposure of individual teachers, locals and the provincial ATA to immediate and significant sanctions, the ATA and its members reluctantly complied with the return-to-work order.
“We complied not because the legislation fixed anything—it didn’t—but because Provincial Executive Council has a responsibility to protect our members and our union,” said Schilling. “Any attempt to pass a motion that called for unlawful conduct, such as defiance of the order, would have been beyond the authority of the organization.”
On November 6, the ATA filed an application with the Court of King’s Bench seeking to overturn sections of Bill 2 and requested an injunction to halt enforcement of the legislation while the legal challenge proceeds. The case is currently still working its way through the courts.
Reactions and next steps
Many organizations and individuals spoke out against Bill 2 and the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause. Now, the ATA is making space to hear from the members who were directly affected by these measures. By sharing their experiences, teachers can provide insight into and help document the effects of the legislation, from classroom realities to professional challenges.
“The public needs to keep hearing from teachers,” said Schilling. “Your voices should be amplified, and this is one way to do just that.”
How can I participate?
Drop by the ATA table at your convention, sign the consent form and record your thoughts! Staff will be on site to answer any questions and support your recording.
Will teachers’ messages be shared publicly?
Only with explicit written consent. The recordings may be shared on social media or similar mediums.
