EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she wants to form a commission on education after the provincewide teachers strike is over.
Smith says she wants to see a negotiated settlement with the union representing 51,000 teachers, who walked off the job Oct. 6.
Smith says the province will need “new models” to ensure issues like classroom complexity get addressed.
The main sticking points in the labour dispute have been wages, supports and classroom sizes.
The idea of a commission echoes another formed after the last teachers strike in 2002 to study the state of Alberta’s education system.
Smith made the comment about a new commission to reporters at an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce event, while outside a roaring crowd of thousands demanded investments in education.
Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, says it’s not looking for more commissions or committees but action to directly improve classrooms.
Police estimated between 8,000 and 10,000 people marched outside the downtown venue Thursday.
Both the union and the government said they don’t have an update on when the two sides might return to the bargaining table.
The premier said if it becomes clear the strike is going to cause irreparable harm, her government will consider forcing teachers back to work in the last week of October, when the legislature session starts.
About 740,000 students have been out of 2,500 schools for eight school days.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2025.
Lisa Johnson and Aaron Sousa, The Canadian Press
