The ATA News , November 18, 2025 ❚ 5
New committee to address classroom conditions
FOR THE RECORD We want to identify the classrooms that are complex, get them down into the same realm that we all agreed to back in 2002 with the learning commission about what class sizes should be and deal with the issues of complexity, and let’s really solve the problem this time.
Cory Hare ATA News Staff A new cabinet committee created to address class size and complexity is a step in the right direction, says Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling. Unveiled a week after the government announced that it would reinstate the collection of class size data, the new committee will use the data collected to guide the government’s execution of its commitment to hire 3,000 new teachers and 1,500 new educational assistants over the next three years. The committee will also assist in identifying and prioritizing where new schools and modulars should be built. “This is a step in the right direction, and we will see it through to ensure the government delivers on its promise to enact real change,” said Schilling, who credited years of advocacy, and the unity demonstrated during the recent strike, for forcing the government to act. “Now, the government must show that it’s ready to repair the damage, rebuild trust and finally do right by Alberta’s public education system,” he said. The 11-person committee includes Premier Danielle Smith, Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, three other government ministers, three superintendents, two current or former school board chairs and ATA associate executive secretary Elissa Corsi. “We heard teacher concerns, and we are providing solutions,” Nicolaides
said. “The Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee will help us take immediate action and ensure teachers and students are given the support they need to succeed.” Schilling noted the importance of having an ATA rep on the committee. “As a partner … we will share teachers’ expertise and lived experiences to come up with practical solutions to create better classroom environments,” he said. Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee Danielle Smith, Premier Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Searle Turton, Minister of Child and Family Services Lynnette Anderson, Chief Superintendent, Edmonton Catholic Schools Nicole Buchanan, Chair, Red Deer Public Schools
— Premier Danielle Smith during her November 8 Your Province,Your Premier radio show
YOUR VIEWS
On Constituency Week as a time to connect with MLAs Norma Jean McLennan Good luck. They will be hiding in my constituency. I haven’t heard Danielle Smith is coming to town. And Justin Wright, I hope he has time to read the letter I dropped off at his office last week. Maybe he will get a conscience. Jenn Taggart My MLA called me back last week and we discussed our concerns with the UCP’s decisions. They need to represent people, not the small minority. Pat Barbier I taught for over 30 years and never saw the kind of issues teachers are dealing with now. Yes, there were students with problems, but we had aids, supportive administration and often education ministers who had a clue. On mandatory screeners for K–3 students Kerry-Ann Kope The K–3 screeners are just another make-work project for teachers and add to unnecessary stress on children. Meaningful assessment comes in many forms
that help teachers learn more about their students’ needs and abilities. They guide teachers in the direction of how students learn best and whether a student needs additional support or challenge. There has been so much research done in this area. One recommendation is to learn from the teachings of Anne Davies and Sandra Herbst. Politicians are not experts on education. We should be looking to those who really know education to make informed decisions. That includes teachers. I stand for public education. Rick Massini Experienced and well-trained teachers can identify which students are having difficulty and in what areas, intuitively.Those students [that teachers] are unable to remediate they refer for further assessment in order to access additional support for the child. Amy Dern Having administered a few of these tests, I have witnessed the stress these unreasonable assessments have on young children. Trust teachers’ professional judgement! #unnecessary Mark Heppner As a teacher, I fully support the testing. And accountability for teachers is more important than ever right now.
Marilyn Dennis, Former president, Alberta School Boards Association Mike McMann, Superintendent, Fort Vermilion Schools and President, College of Alberta School Superintendents Joanne Pitman, Chief Superintendent, Calgary Board of Education Elissa Corsi, Associate Executive Secretary, Alberta Teachers’ Association
Reactions to the notwithstanding clause
B elow are excerpts from statements written by organizations in response to the Alberta government’s use of the notwithstanding clause. Amnesty International (Canada’s English-speaking section) Alberta’s use of the notwithstanding clause continues an alarming trend of provincial governments putting political expediency ahead of people’s human rights. We urge the Alberta government to turn the tide by removing the notwithstanding clause from its education bill and commit to only advancing legislation that complies with the Charter and upholds Albertans’ human rights. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada Premier Smith has weaponized legislation that is intended to protect citizens. Legislating teachers back to work and stripping them of their bargaining rights is a direct attack on students, families and the teachers who keep the education system functioning. Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) The government’s use of the notwithstanding clause sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the rights of all Albertans. For decades, strong Alberta unions have been
instrumental in securing fair wages and safe working conditions across the province by exercising their rights. When these rights are attacked, every workplace in Alberta, both public and private, is weaker, including in
education and health care. Mount Royal Faculty Association
The Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA) condemns the Alberta government’s use of the notwith- standing clause to force teachers back to work.This action represents a blatant abuse of power, undermining fundamental constitutional rights, eroding collective bargaining and attacking the protections guaranteed to workers under Canadian law. Anglican Diocese of Edmonton For the provincial government of Alberta to use the notwithstanding clause [...] is to acknowledge interference with the teachers’Charter rights through this action.The deeper implications of this action are sobering because when one fundamental freedom is denied, it is possible to imagine other fundamental freedoms being denied, including our freedom of conscience and religion. In a time when democratic institutions around the world are becoming fragile, I believe it would be wise to step back from this action.
Opinions expressed on this page represent the views of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
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