Edmonton on High Alert as Historic Teacher Strike Set to Close Schools on Monday

Image credit: Edmonton CityNews

An unprecedented, province-wide teacher strike is poised to shut down every public and Catholic school in Edmonton this Monday, October 6.

The city is holding its breath as the clock ticks down.

This drastic action follows the overwhelming rejection of a tentative agreement between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the provincial government.

A stunning 89.5% of the 43,362 voting members cast their ballots against the deal, sending a powerful message of deep-seated frustration to provincial negotiators.

This marks the second time this year that teachers have decisively turned down a government offer.

As a result, more than 700,000 students across Alberta, including tens of thousands in Edmonton, will be out of the classroom indefinitely.

Both Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic Schools have confirmed that if the strike proceeds, all classes, extra-curricular activities, athletics, and school bus services will be paused.

Parents across the city are now scrambling to arrange childcare, a frantic rush reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why The Teacher Strike Is Happening

The core of the dispute is not just about money, but about the very state of Alberta's classrooms.

ATA president Jason Schilling stated that teachers feel profoundly disrespected and are taking a stand for the future of public education.

He emphasized that the proposed agreement failed to meaningfully address critical issues of ballooning class sizes and classroom complexity.

Educators argue that for years they have been dealing with overcrowded classrooms filled with students who have increasingly diverse and complex needs, without the necessary support.

Teachers report feeling burned out and unable to provide the quality of education students deserve.

The union has pointed out that while the government offered to fund 3,000 new teaching positions, that number is a mere drop in the bucket.

According to the ATA, more than 5,000 new teachers would be needed just to meet class-size recommendations established back in 2003.

Wage stagnation is another major sticking point.

The ATA notes that teachers have seen their salaries increase by only 5.75% over the last decade, a period during which inflation has risen by nearly 30%.

The government's offer of a 12% wage increase over four years was seen as simply not enough to catch up.

The Government's Position

Provincial officials have expressed their disappointment and frustration with the union's rejection of the deal.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides has publicly urged the teachers' union to return to the bargaining table, stating his team is ready to resume negotiations.

He has insisted the government's offer was fair and addressed the union's key concerns, including the promise to hire more teachers and educational assistants.

However, the province has firmly rejected the idea of hard caps on class sizes.

Premier Danielle Smith stated that there is not enough physical school space to accommodate smaller classes, a claim that has drawn sharp criticism from educators.

With no new talks currently scheduled, both sides appear to be digging in their heels, leaving families caught in the middle.

Edmonton Families and Community Response

In neighborhoods across Edmonton, from Mill Woods to the West End, the potential teacher strike is the dominant topic of conversation.

Many parents, while stressed about the logistics, have voiced strong support for the teachers' cause.

One Edmonton parent, Alyson Winkelaar, said she felt it was “about time that our teachers took a stand,” calling the state of the public system outrageous.

Others admit the childcare challenge will be immense.

Daycares and after-school programs are reporting a surge in calls from parents desperate to find a place for their children.

The community is mobilizing to fill the void.

The City of Edmonton has announced it will launch a series of day camps for children aged 6-12 if the strike goes ahead.

Similarly, the Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is preparing to enhance its weekday programming for school-aged children across its various branches.

The provincial government has also stepped in, offering financial aid to families.

Parents of children 12 and under can apply for a payment of $150 per week to help offset childcare costs, with the first payments slated for October 31.

The province has also launched an online curriculum for parents to use for at-home learning.

This move has been slammed by the ATA as a cynical tactic.

Jason Schilling argued that the government would “rather pay parents to wait out a strike than pay teachers to prevent one.”

With the strike date looming, school boards are advising parents to have their children bring home personal belongings and to check for official notifications on Sunday evening.

The uncertainty is palpable as an entire city, and an entire province, wait to see if an eleventh-hour deal can be reached, or if classrooms will go dark on Monday morning.

Our reader's top Questions About the Edmonton Teacher Strike

Why are Edmonton teachers going on strike?

The primary reasons for the teacher strike are disputes over wages that haven't kept pace with inflation, and deep concerns about deteriorating classroom conditions. Teachers are demanding more support to deal with large class sizes and the increasing number of students with complex needs.

When will the teacher strike in Edmonton start?

If a last-minute agreement is not reached, the province-wide teacher strike is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 6, 2025. This will impact all schools within Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic Schools.

What support is available for Edmonton parents during the strike?

The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Public Library plan to offer day camps and enhanced programming. The provincial government is offering an online curriculum for home learning and payments of $150 per week for parents with children aged 12 and under to assist with childcare costs.