Students Back to Class Wednesday as Province Ends Teachers’ Strike with Controversial Legislation

After three weeks of cancelled classes across Alberta, students will return to school on Wednesday, October 29, as the provincial government moves forward with Bill 2: The Back to School Act, bringing an end to the historic teachers’ strike.

The decision affects roughly 720,000 students across Alberta’s public, Catholic, and francophone school systems, marking the official close to one of the largest education work stoppages in provincial history.

Government Forces Return to Work

Premier Danielle Smith’s government introduced Bill 2 on Monday evening, using the notwithstanding clause to override sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms—an unprecedented move in Alberta’s history.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said the government’s priority is restoring classroom learning and stability for families. In a letter shared by multiple school divisions, Nicolaides thanked parents for their patience and confirmed that the Parent Financial Assistance Program—introduced during the strike—remains open until November 14, with first payments going out October 31.

He also outlined a new Task Force on Class Size and Complexity, increased access to student assessments, and a forthcoming Teachers’ Advisory Committee to give educators a direct voice in policy.

“Our government remains focused on student success, classroom safety, and ensuring families see real improvements in the education system,” Nicolaides said.

All major school divisions—including Northern Lights Public Schools, Lakeland Catholic School Division, St. Paul Education, and Conseil scolaire Centre-Est—have confirmed that schools will reopen on Wednesday with buses running on their regular times and routes.

Local Schools Prepare to Reopen

Each division has issued return-to-school updates, advising families that:

• Classes resume on October 29 under regular bell schedules.

• Transportation services return to normal.

• Out-of-School Care and child-care programs reopen.

• November Diploma Exams will be optional, with further updates pending on January exams and Provincial Achievement Tests.

• Schools are prioritizing student well-being and encouraging parents to reach out if children struggle with the transition.

“We are grateful for the patience and flexibility shown by our school communities and look forward to welcoming everyone back to class,” said Dr. Peter Barron, Superintendent of St. Paul Education.

ATA Condemns Government Overreach

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) sharply condemned the government’s decision to legislate an end to the strike, calling the use of the notwithstanding clause a “reckless and historic abuse of power.”

“This legislation is a gross violation of the foundational principles of collective bargaining,” the ATA said in a statement. “Although this legislation will end the strike and lift the lockout, it does not end the underfunding and deterioration of teaching and learning conditions—our schools will not be better for it.”

The association confirmed it will not authorize further strike or work-to-rule action but intends to pursue legal challenges to Bill 2. Teachers have been instructed to return to their classrooms and meet their professional obligations while maintaining their personal well-being.

“Our message to the government is simple: we are still here,” the ATA wrote. “This fight has just begun.”

Moving Forward

As classrooms reopen, questions remain about how lost instructional time will be made up and whether long-term changes will result from this standoff.

While the government promises renewed investment—including $8.6 billion for 130 new or modernized schools by 2030—teachers say the deeper issue of chronic underfunding and large class sizes remains unresolved.

For now, the focus returns to the students—back in their desks Wednesday morning, hoping for a return to normal learning after a tumultuous October.

Timeline of Key Events

September 30 – Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) members vote 89.5% in favour of strike action after rejecting a tentative deal with the province.
October 6 – Roughly 51,000 teachers walk off the job, closing public, Catholic, and francophone schools province-wide.
October 9 – Employers issue a lockout notice; all instruction and extracurriculars stop.
October 17–24 – Talks stall; the government warns it will legislate teachers back to work.
October 27 – Premier Danielle Smith introduces Bill 2: Back to School Act, using the notwithstanding clause to override collective bargaining rights and end the strike.
October 28 – The Alberta Legislature passes Bill 2. School divisions begin notifying families that classes resume Wednesday, October 29.
October 29 – Schools reopen across the province.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do classes resume?

All Alberta K–12 schools reopen on Wednesday, October 29. Regular schedules, bell times, and day rotations are back in place.

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Will buses be running?

Yes. All transportation services return to their normal times and routes on Wednesday morning.
If you have route-specific questions, contact your school division’s transportation office directly (St. Paul Education, Northern Lights, Lakeland Catholic, and Conseil scolaire Centre-Est have all confirmed full bus service).

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Are extracurricular activities and sports back?

Yes, though it may take a few days for full programming to resume.
Most schools say athletics, clubs, and fine arts activities will restart once staff finalize schedules and facilities are ready. Families will hear directly from their schools about any postponed games, performances, or field trips.

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What about exams and missed learning?

• The November Diploma Exams are optional for high school students.

• The province has not yet confirmed whether January Diploma Exams or Grades 6 & 9 Provincial Achievement Tests will be modified or postponed.

• Teachers will spend the first few days reviewing material and helping students transition back into regular routines.

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Will the school calendar change?

Boards are still discussing possible calendar adjustments to make up for lost instructional time.
Any changes will be shared once approved by trustees.

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What supports are available for students?

Schools are prioritizing student wellness and encouraging families to reach out if children struggle with the return.
Student Support Teams, counsellors, and child-care programs will all be back in operation this week.

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What if the ATA challenges Bill 2 in court?

The Alberta Teachers’ Association has announced it will pursue legal action against the government, arguing Bill 2 violates teachers’ constitutional right to collective bargaining.
However, this does not mean another strike.
Because the government has used the notwithstanding clause, the back-to-work law remains in force even while a legal challenge is underway.
Teachers must return to class and cannot legally strike or work-to-rule unless a future court decision overturns the legislation — a process that could take months or years.

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Will this affect future bargaining?

Possibly. The ATA says it will continue pressing for improvements to class sizes, workloads, and funding levels through legal and political channels rather than job action.
The government has indicated it plans to revisit funding formulas and create a Task Force on Class Size and Complexity to address long-standing concerns.

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In short

• Schools reopen on Wednesday, October 29

• Buses and childcare resume normal operations

• Extracurriculars return soon

• November exams optional

• ATA legal challenge won’t stop classes

For continuing updates, families are encouraged to monitor their school division websites and Alberta Education’s Labour Action pages.