Schools across Alberta buzzed with activity on Wednesday as over 740,000 students returned to their classrooms, marking the end of a historic 16-day provincewide teachers’ strike. The widespread labor action, the largest in Alberta’s history, concluded after Premier Danielle Smith controversially utilized the Charter’s notwithstanding clause. This legal maneuver compelled 51,000 teachers to resume duties at public, separate, and francophone schools.
Across Calgary and Edmonton, parents and students gathered to greet teachers. Many wore red shirts, a symbol of support for the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), while children carried colourful signs and messages of appreciation. ‘We love teachers!’ echoed through the air at Colonel Walker Elementary School in Calgary, highlighting the community’s strong support.
Cheering Crowds Welcome Teachers Back
In Calgary, approximately two dozen parents and their children stood by, warmly applauding as teachers made their way back. Sidewalks were adorned with chalk messages reading ‘Thank you teachers,’ and many educators were visibly moved, taking photos, wiping away tears, and joyfully reconnecting with their students.
Colin Mitchell, who brought his nine-year-old son, Bennett, to school, expressed a sense of relief. ‘It feels good. I’m glad that they’re back in the classroom,’ he stated, though he added a note of concern: ‘It’s just too bad that it had to come to this. I think it’s kind of an elephant in the room still where the problem wasn’t necessarily dealt with fully.’
Young Bennett, after three weeks away, shared his excitement: ‘I’m so excited to see my teacher again!’
Parents Show Support and Voice Concerns
Erin O’Dorn and her partner, Phil Grace, proudly held signs conveying their gratitude. ‘We wanted to let teachers know that we love them, that we support them and that we are eternally grateful for everything they did to stand up for public education here in Alberta,’ O’Dorn explained. Grace further highlighted the emotional toll the prolonged strike and its uncertainties took on children.
Erin Stanten, whose daughter is in Grade 1, urged fellow parents to participate in a survey documenting their strike experiences. ‘My child missed her teacher this whole time. It was pretty heartbreaking,’ she recounted.
Classroom Challenges Remain
In Edmonton, Grade 11 student Nyla Ahmadzai shared her conflicted emotions upon returning to McNally School. ‘I’m happy to be back, so I can show my teachers my support. But I’m not happy, because we’re coming back to the same thing – overcrowded classes,’ she voiced. Ahmadzai also noted that her initial social studies class, packed with 37 students, quickly devolved into chaos, with discussions frequently veering into the recent labor dispute.
The ATA reiterated that teachers would not engage in a ‘work to rule’ protest but strongly condemned the government’s activation of the notwithstanding clause, labeling it a violation of rights. Echoing this sentiment, various Alberta unions declared their intention to challenge the clause, expressing concerns that such governmental actions could severely weaken their bargaining leverage in future labor negotiations.
Meanwhile, school boards have informed parents that while classes are indeed running, there might be unavoidable delays or alterations to diploma exams and various extracurricular activities.