Alberta Legislature

By Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics/Education

Political neutrality mandate in Alberta classrooms offensive to teachers, union says

Apr 1, 2026 | 3:21 PM

The president of the teachers union in Alberta says the government’s suggestion that educators don’t act with integrity or present issues in a balanced way is offensive.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides tabled a bill this week that he says is aimed at getting politics and ideology out of classrooms.

The bill, and further rules to be developed later this year, includes a mandate that teachers present all issues in a neutral way.

Jason Schilling, the president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, says it’s something already expected of teachers and suggesting otherwise is unfair.

Schilling says the government seems to be more interested in dog whistles and is legislating a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

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Nicolaides says schools need to help teach students how to think rather than what to think, adding that bill will encourage tough conversations rather than restrict them.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 1, 2026.