Podcast: Striking teachers and their supporters rally in Red Deer; back-to-work legislation coming if strike doesn’t end

Smith shared that tidbit Friday afternoon, shortly after close to 350 teachers and their supporters rallied at Red Deer’s City Hall Park.

The strike has now been going on for two whole school weeks, and seemingly has no end in sight — notwithstanding Smith’s threat to force teachers back.

Following a return to bargaining Tuesday, Finance Minister Nate Horner lamented the significant divide between what the teachers want and what the government is willing to give.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), meantime, said they made a counter-offer and were placing the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the UCP.

Premier Danielle Smith, seen here speaking on Oct. 17 about the ongoing teachers’ strike. (Gov’t of Alberta YouTube)

On Friday morning, the ATA revealed it had denied the UCP’s request to go into mediation, calling the ask insulting, and claiming it would be biased because it would exclude student-teacher ratios from the discussion.

When Premier Smith, along with Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, stepped up to the mic Friday, they expressed disappointment, and said the effects on students are getting to the point of being irreparable.

Smith said the government has yet to receive a “realistic and fair proposal from the ATA,” adding she does not believe the strike can continue indefinitely.

Asked a question by media, Smith said if a deal can’t be met next week, legislation would be coming once MLAs return to the legislature on Oct. 23.

Evelyn Chan, president, ATA Local 60 (Red Deer Public), speaks to open a rally at Red Deer’s City Hall Park on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (RdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“We’ll be hoping that doesn’t happen. This is part of the reason we wrote the letter to the ATA — because we are committed to getting kids back into the classroom. But I’d also say we are committed to making sure kids are not harmed,” said Smith, making note of today’s announcement that diploma exams will be optional this year.

“We don’t want to be impacting the ability of kids to start planning for where they are going to go to university. We think three weeks is about the limit of what students can handle before we start seeing irreparable harm. That’s why we’re still hoping we get teachers back in the classroom and we can negotiate a settlement; that is by far preferable. We live in hope, but we’re planning for the other option.”

Teachers in Red Deer, meantime, were boisterous Friday, and adamant that they’re ‘not gonna take it,’ as the Twisted Sister hit blared through the speakers.

Evelyn Chan, president of Red Deer City (Public) Local 60, said it’s an emotional time, with some folks sharpening their proverbial pitchforks, while others are ready to hide in a hole.

A rally in solidarity with striking teachers was held at Red Deer City Hall Park on Oct. 17, 2025. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“Our members can’t continue the way they are going. Some people say we’re doing this because of paycheques, but we’re literally losing paycheques every day, trying to fight for our students and for our working conditions,” said Chan.

“MLAs need to be in their office, they need to talk to us; very few of them are meeting with us, replying to our letters, and I’ve been getting a lot of canned responses. Just talk to us; stop hiding.”

Sara Lambert, president, Local 80 (Red Deer Catholic) said no pay for teachers during the strike reflects what teachers are willing to give up to ensure a better situation for students.

She and Chan also noted that if Alberta schools were funded to the national average, Red Deer’s two school divisions alone could hire 350 more teachers.

A rally in solidarity with striking teachers was held at Red Deer City Hall Park on Oct. 17, 2025. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“I really hope parents understand we’re doing this for the kids. We appreciate their support immensely,” she said.

Parents are understanding, if you ask Meagan Parisian, a local parent who serves as vice-president for the Alberta School Councils’ Association.

Parisian called the Red Deer rally a “phenomenal show of solidarity.”

She said teachers would not be on strike if they weren’t incredibly passionate about the course public education has taken over the last five to 20 years.

A rally in solidarity with striking teachers was held at Red Deer City Hall Park on Oct. 17, 2025. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“Teachers would not actively make the choice to not collect a wage just for no reason. The biggest part of the conversation we need to remember is that teachers’ working conditions are students’ working learning conditions. When we lose sight of that, we’ve lost the plot on the bigger scope of the conversation,” she said.

Minister Nicolaides added Friday that the government wants the same things as the ATA: more teachers, higher pay for teachers, more educational assistants, and more classrooms.

The Opposition NDP also came in flying with a pointed statement Friday.

“I think it’s time for the UCP to cut the crap,” said Amanda Chapman, shadow minister for education.

“The letter that was sent to the ATA is a ridiculous proposal from the government. They’re just asking them to go back to work. They’re not at the bargaining table with them, and the letter makes it perfectly clear that the government is not interested in bargaining in good faith.”

Other rallies, Chapman noted, have taken place in recent days and weeks, including Thursday in Edmonton while Smith spoke to Chamber of Commerce members; close to 8,000 people are thought to have attended that event.

An estimated 18,000 came out to the Legislature two weeks ago.

“The premier is not listening to Albertans,” said Chapman. “Parents are clearly and firmly in support of teachers.”

The province’s 51,000 teachers and 740,000 students are not expected back in classrooms on Monday.

by Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Podcast: Striking teachers and their supporters rally in Red Deer; back-to-work legislation coming if strike doesn’t end

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