Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma)— Parents across Alberta are bracing for possible school closures as contract negotiations between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the provincial government remain stalled. The breakdown in talks has raised the prospect of a teacher strike or lockout, creating widespread concern about childcare, learning disruptions, and new education policies.
The ATA, representing 51,000 teachers, has secured a strike mandate, while the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association has authorized school boards to lock teachers out. The uncertainty has left many families scrambling to make backup arrangements.
“My elementary kids and kindergartner will be crushed if schools close. They love their teachers and school community,” said Meagan Parisian, vice-president of the Alberta School Councils’ Association. She noted parents are also grappling with new policies on books, sex education, and sports.
Premier Danielle Smith’s government earlier announced a ban on books containing sexual content in school libraries, though the order is now under review. Parents must also give explicit consent for children to attend sex education classes. Additionally, new rules bar transgender girls aged 12 and older from competing in female sports, with divisions sending out forms to verify birth sex.
For some parents, the combination of policy changes and potential school closures is overwhelming. “It’s ‘Everything, Everywhere, All At Once,’” Parisian said.
Beverly McCool, a parent in Grande Prairie, said families could struggle with childcare if schools close. “Nobody budgets for full-day childcare in September,” she said, adding that children with disabilities and low-income families may be hit hardest.
Other parents worry about learning gaps, drawing comparisons to setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. “If there’s a two-week interruption, there’s catch-up work that lingers,” said Lethbridge parent Locke Spencer.
Teachers’ union president Jason Schilling has argued that added tasks, such as implementing book removal policies, have only deepened frustrations among educators. Parents, meanwhile, have voiced support for teachers, noting that working conditions directly affect student success.
Finance Minister Nate Horner has stressed that a lockout would be a “last resort,” urging the union back to the bargaining table. “Parents and students deserve peace of mind that kids will remain in classrooms,” he said.
Despite the tension, Parisian noted one positive outcome: parents are becoming more engaged in school governance ahead of municipal elections on October 20.
