Alberta Teachers’ Strike Update: Mediation Proposal Rejected, Diplomas Optional, and Parent Payments Begin

The Alberta teachers’ strike has now entered its third week, with classrooms across the province — including those in the Lakeland — still empty. While families adjust to the ongoing disruption, the province and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) remain far apart on a deal to bring students and teachers back to class.

Province Proposes “Enhanced Mediation”

The Alberta government says it is willing to take new steps to end the strike and reopen schools. In a formal letter sent to ATA Executive Secretary Dennis Theobald, the Provincial Bargaining and Compensation Office (PBCO) proposed an “enhanced mediation” process aimed at restarting talks while getting students back into classrooms.

Under the proposal:

• The ATA would end its strike, and teachers would return to classrooms on October 20, 2025.

• Both sides would agree to pause all job action until November 20, 2025.

• The ATA and the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) would take part in enhanced mediation, led by mediator Deborah Howes, focusing on salaries and classroom complexity.

• Howes would prepare a non-binding report by November 13, with both sides required to share ratification results by November 20.

The government said the move was meant to prevent further harm to students while allowing negotiations to continue. In the letter, the PBCO wrote:

“This is an unacceptable state of affairs when more than 700,000 students are not in school. I trust you will agree that this process is preferable to back-to-work legislation or an extended strike where neither party can say with confidence that discussions are leading toward a negotiated resolution.”

The government also clarified that the mediator’s recommendations “cannot provide for hard caps on classroom sizes or student-teacher ratios,” but could include flexible strategies to address classroom complexity.

Government Statement: “The Strike Has Gone On Too Long”

Following the proposal, the province issued a statement expressing frustration over the ATA’s refusal to accept the offer.

“We are very disappointed that the Alberta Teachers’ Association refused this offer. Teachers and students should also be disappointed,” the statement read.

“We want the same things as the ATA: more teachers, more pay for teachers, more educational assistants, and more classrooms. This strike has gone on too long, and we are extremely concerned about the impact it is having on students.”

The government warned that a strike of this length could cause “irreparable harm” to student learning and said it is prepared to consider “further options” if no resolution is reached soon.

ATA Response: “Classrooms Are at a Breaking Point”

ATA President Jason Schilling said teachers remain united in their demands for manageable class sizes, proper supports, and fair compensation — issues he says the government’s offer has not meaningfully addressed.

“Teachers are speaking with one voice. The government’s proposal does not meet the needs of students or educators. We cannot continue with classrooms this crowded and supports this thin.”

The ATA maintains that the strike is about more than wages — it’s about creating a sustainable education system that can meet student needs provincewide.

November Diploma Exams Now Optional

Amid the ongoing strike, Alberta Education announced that November 2025 diploma exams will now be optional for students.

Those who wish to write can still do so, and school boards must accommodate them. Students who choose not to write will receive a final grade based entirely on their school-awarded mark, ensuring they can still complete their courses and graduate on time.

Officials confirmed that choosing not to write will not affect post-secondary admissions. The policy applies provincewide, and the exams will still occur on their scheduled dates.
No changes have been made to the January or June diploma exams or provincial achievement tests.

Parent Payment Program Open

To help offset costs during the strike, the province has launched the Parent Payment Program, available now through the Parent Payment Portal at parentpayment.alberta.ca.

Parents and guardians of students aged 12 and under can apply for $30 per day, per student, retroactive to October 6.
Payments will be made monthly via e-transfer, with the first payment scheduled for October 31.

Additional FSCD Support

Families with children who have an active Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) agreement may receive extra funding:

• Ages 12 and under: an additional $30 per day (total $300 per week)

• Ages 13–17: $60 per day (total $300 per week)

Payments are non-taxable, will not affect other benefits, and are being redirected from teacher salaries not paid during the strike.

Local Impact in the Lakeland

Across Bonnyville, Cold Lake, and St. Paul, the strike continues to challenge families and workplaces. With limited childcare spaces, unreliable rural internet, and paused extracurriculars, parents are left balancing jobs with supervision and home learning.

As both sides remain entrenched, frustration continues to build. Parents say they want teachers and students back in classrooms, teachers say they want the right conditions to do their jobs, and the province insists it’s putting “students first.”

For now, there’s still no clear date for when Alberta’s schools — or the Lakeland’s — will reopen.