Getting kids back to class

The Government of Alberta passed Bill 2: the Back to School Act on October 27, 2025. This legislated teachers back to their classrooms on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, by invoking the notwithstanding clause to end the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) strike. The Back to School Act set the terms and conditions for this cycle of central teacher negotiations, which runs from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2028.

The terms of the contract are what ATA leadership recommended to its members on September 23, 2025.

Labour stability

The Back to School Act:

  • establishes enforcement of the return to work through the Alberta Labour Relations Board with financial penalties of up to $500 per day for individuals engaging in labour action, and up to $500,000 per day for any other cases
  • brings an end to local bargaining for the term of the agreement
Smaller classes. The best pay in Western Canada. Better student outcomes.

Investing in Alberta's future

Alberta’s classrooms are growing, with 80,000 students joining our education system last 3 years alone. With more students comes the need for smaller classes, more teachers, more educational assistants (EAs) and stronger support – and Alberta's government is ready to deliver.

With an investment of more than $10 billion – the largest investment in the province’s history – Alberta's government is proud to support the province's teachers and students. On top of that, we’re putting $8.6 billion into building and renovating over 130 schools so students have safe, modern spaces to learn.

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3,000 more teachers + 1,500 more EAs

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Pay increases of 12 – 17%

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130 new and upgraded schools

The new deal

The Back to School Act meets the needs of teachers with a new legislated contract that includes:

  • Pay raises of at least 12%, with 95% of teachers making even more, up to 17%. This means starting salaries will be at least $70,000, with our most senior teachers earning all the way up to $119,000.
  • Increases for substitute teacher rates of pay, with some receiving up to a 20% boost.
  • Access to free COVID shots.
  • Hiring 3,000 new teachers.
  • Hiring 1,500 new EAs.

This deal was the last mutually-agreed upon deal and proposed to teachers by the ATA in September. This deal went $300 million over the agreed upon deal proposed by the third-party mediator in May 2025.

Competitive pay for teachers

Our planned investment in teachers will ensure fair and meaningful compensation for years to come. Our deal provides a general wage increase of 12% over for every single, teacher, with more than 95% of teachers receiving further increases of up to 17%.

Alberta's government would like to invest in Alberta teachers so they would receive the highest take-home pay in Western Canada after provincial taxes.

With this the average teacher will be making $107,000 per year of take-home pay, after provincial taxes. Now that’s a good salary!

Total projected investment in our teachers will be $2.6 billion, balancing fairness, responsibility, and strong support for students and teachers alike over the next 4 years.

More information about the Alberta teachers salary grid

Proven results

Alberta students are leaders in Canada and globally, and teachers are at the centre of this success. In the 2022 international assessment, Alberta ranked #1 in reading, science, creative thinking and financial literacy. 

To support this important work, Alberta's government has committed to hiring 3,000 additional teachers. In Budget 2025, our government invested $1.6 billion to help improve learning and safety in classrooms across the province.

  • More teachers in every classroom

    We're hiring 3,000 new teachers over 3 years – 1,000 each year. This means smaller classes, more one-on-one attention and better support for students with complex needs.

  • More EAs to support complex needs

    We are hiring 1,500 new educational assistants to help support our teachers in the classroom and provide our kids with the extra attention they need.

  • Stronger classroom supports

    Every child learns differently. That’s why Alberta is providing $1.6 billion in targeted supports, including:

    • Language programs for students new to English or French
    • Indigenous student supports
    • School nutrition programs
    • Educational assistants, counsellors and psychologists

    These supports ensure every student can learn, thrive and feel supported in school.

    The Classroom Complexity Grant has also increased by 20% so schools can hire additional staff to meet student needs.

  • Safer learning environments

    Alberta launched the Aggression Action Team to reduce classroom violence and improve safety. The team includes teachers, parents, school boards and student advocates with practical solutions rolling out in 2025/26.

New and upgraded schools

With student numbers growing rapidly, Alberta is building and modernizing schools to keep up with demand:

  • $8.6 billion for over 130 schools
  • 30+ projects fast-tracked
  • 109 modular classrooms added this year

This investment ensures every student has safe, well-equipped learning spaces.

Building the province's future together

Our historic investment in education is a powerful vote of confidence in the vital work teachers do every day.

With thousands of new teachers, smaller classes, stronger supports, modern learning spaces and the largest investment in our teachers in decades, we are proud to develop classrooms where educators feel valued and students can thrive.

Bottom Line

This is a fair and historic deal:

More teachers and EAs in classrooms

#1 student outcomes

More support for our kids

More teachers. More pay. Smaller classes.

Supporting parents