Alberta government mum on back-to-work bill details as teachers strike continues

Alberta's government house leader is not saying if or when the province will use back-to-work legislation to end the Alberta teachers' strike.

EDMONTON — The Alberta government is keeping its legislative cards close to its chest when it comes to passing an order to end a provincewide strike by teachers.

Government house leader Joseph Schow, who is responsible for moving legislation through the debate process, has declined to say when or how quickly such legislation would be expedited.

Schow says nothing has been finalized, with the house set to return this week with Thursday’s speech from the throne.

Last week, Premier Danielle Smith said teachers can expect back-to-work legislation soon as the walkout is causing irreparable harm to students.

The strike by 51,000 teachers is now into its third week and is affecting 750,000 students in public, separate and francophone schools.

The two sides are at a stalemate over wages and working conditions, with teachers warning changes must be made to remedy overcrowded classrooms.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2025.