Federal agreements and the education sector

Overview

In 2024, Alberta’s government passed the Provincial Priorities Act to push back against overreach by the federal government. The act ensures Ottawa is not undermining the province’s jurisdiction to make decisions about what is best for Alberta and Albertans.

The legislation is implemented through a supporting Provincial Priorities Regulation, which sets out the approval process and any requirements to be met before a provincial entity may enter into an agreement with the federal government, as well as any exceptions to the legislation.

Requirements

Effective April 1, 2025, education provincial entities – including school boards (public, separate, francophone) – must submit all new agreements with the federal government, as well as all new amendments, extensions and renewals to previously executed agreements with the federal government to Education and Childcare.

Agreements subject to minister or Cabinet approval must be submitted prior to execution and will be evaluated as to whether they:

• align with Alberta’s priorities and fiscal plans
• overstep into areas of provincial jurisdiction
• place unacceptable restrictions on Alberta’s ability to implement its own policies and programs

Exceptions

Agreements designated as exceptions will not require approval but must be submitted as soon as possible after their execution for the exception to apply.

Exceptions for education provincial entities include:

• agreements with no federal funding or in-kind contributions
• agreements with less than $100,000 in federal funding
• agreement amendments, extensions and renewals that meet specific conditions outlined in section 10 of the regulation

School boards that have previously received ministerial approval are not required to seek reapproval from the Minister of Education and Childcare for an agreement (new, extension, renewal) if any of the following apply:

• the agreement includes a provision requiring a project to start or end by a certain date – and the amendment, extension or renewal is for the purpose of allowing the project to start or end by a date that is no more than one year different from the agreement’s original start or end date
• the agreement includes a provision establishing the length of a project – and the amendment, extension or renewal is for the purpose of allowing the project to be extended by one year or less
• less than 10% of the federal funding is being provided under the agreement that the minister approved
• the proposed amendment, extension or renewal of an agreement would make or result in minor administrative changes 

For a full list of exceptions, refer to the Provincial Priorities Regulation.

How to submit agreements

Effective April 1, 2025, submit copies of agreements with the federal government along with a completed Provincial Priorities Act – Agreement Intake Form to: [email protected].

Contact

Connect with the Intergovernmental Relations Branch:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-8397
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]