Ei-iE

Education International (EI) has issued a strong condemnation of the adoption of Bill 2, or the “Back to School Act,” by the Alberta Government. The legislation and its use of the notwithstanding clause overrides the rights of 51,000 striking teachers.

In a formal letter addressed to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, EI General Secretary David Edwards joined the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) in denouncing the legislation as a direct violation of fundamental labour rights, including the right to organise, bargain collectively, and engage in lawful strike action—rights enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and recognised by international labour standards.

The ”Back to School Act” and the notwithstanding clause prevents the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) from bargaining or striking until September 2028 and blocks any court from overturning the law. The provincial government of Alberta passed this legislation to end the teachers’ strike that started in early October to denounce the underfunding of education and the deteriorating teaching and learning conditions in Albertan schools.

“This criminalisation of legitimate union action undermines the principle of freedom of association and harmonious labour relations,” Edwards stated. “Rather than addressing the root causes of the dispute—chronic underfunding of public education, teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating working conditions—the Alberta Government has chosen to exacerbate the crisis.”

EI warned that such measures not only erode the quality of public education but also weaken the democratic role of trade unions, which are essential to defending workers’ rights and holding governments accountable. “When unions are stripped of their ability to bargain collectively or take lawful action, democratic participation suffers,” Edwards stressed.

Although the ATA has decided to comply with the controversial legislation ordering teachers to return to school, the union is exploring legal avenues to challenge the bill. “Teachers will comply with the law, but make no mistake—compliance is not consent. The Association will fight this abuse of power with every tool the law provides and every ounce of conviction we possess,” declared ATA president Jason Schilling. “The government has ended the strike, but it has not ended the crisis in classrooms across the province”, he added.

Education International stands in full solidarity with the CTF and the ATA in opposing Bill 2. EI calls on the Alberta Government to repeal the legislation and return to fair, democratic negotiations. The organisation also urges the Canadian Federal Government and Prime Minister Mark Carney to review the use of the notwithstanding clause when it is employed to suppress fundamental freedoms and rights.