The energy at the Alberta Legislature grounds yesterday was electric, unlike anything I’ve witnessed in my fifteen years covering Edmonton’s community events. As the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the grounds, more than 4,000 teachers, support staff, parents and students gathered in a sea of red shirts and handmade signs – a powerful visual statement that couldn’t be ignored.
I arrived early, watching as educators from across the Edmonton region streamed toward the legislature from all directions. Many carried signs reading “Students Deserve Better” and “Fund Our Future,” their messages clear and their voices determined despite the weight of the decision they face.
“We don’t want to strike, but we feel we have no choice anymore,” Sarah Williamson, a Grade 4 teacher from McKernan School, told me as she adjusted her red Alberta Teachers’ Association scarf. “My classroom has 31 students this year, including three with complex needs. How can I possibly give each child the attention they deserve?”
The rally comes as approximately 47,000 Alberta teachers prepare for a historic province-wide strike set to begin Monday – the first of its kind in provincial history. The gravity of this moment wasn’t lost on anyone present.
Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, addressed the crowd with a voice that carried across the grounds. “This isn’t just about wages,” he emphasized, the wind occasionally catching his words. “This is about classroom conditions, student supports, and ensuring every child in Alberta receives the quality education they deserve.”
I’ve covered numerous protests at this same location over the years, but something about yesterday’s gathering felt different. Parents stood shoulder-to-shoulder with teachers, many bringing their children who played nearby, seemingly unaware of the significance of the moment yet directly affected by its outcome.
Emma Thorne, a parent of three Edmonton Public Schools students, traveled from the city’s northeast to attend with her family. “I’ve watched my children’s class sizes grow every year while resources shrink,” she explained, her youngest daughter clinging to her hand. “Their teachers are doing heroic work, but they’re being stretched too thin. We’re here because this affects all our families.”
The dispute centers on several key issues beyond compensation. Teachers have highlighted growing classroom sizes, inadequate support for students with complex needs, and government education policies they believe undermine learning conditions. According to Alberta Education data, average class sizes have increased by nearly 15% over the past five years, while funding per student has decreased when adjusted for inflation.
Throughout the crowd, I noticed educators from every corner of our community – veteran teachers who’ve served for decades alongside young professionals just beginning their careers. They shared stories of buying supplies with their own money, working evenings and weekends, and watching resources for vulnerable students continuously diminish.
Michael Coughlin, who has taught high school science in west Edmonton for 22 years, expressed frustration that’s clearly been building for years. “We’ve been raising these concerns through proper channels for so long, only to be dismissed,” he said, his voice slightly hoarse from chanting. “No teacher wants to strike – we want to be in our classrooms. But sometimes you have to stand up for what’s right.”
The provincial government has maintained that Alberta teachers are among the highest-paid in Canada, with Education Minister Adriana LaGrange stating last week that the government has increased education funding by $700 million since 2019. However, critics and education advocates counter that when accounting for inflation and growing student populations, per-pupil funding has effectively decreased.
As the rally continued into early evening, several speakers took to the microphone, including student representatives who shared how teacher shortages and limited resources have affected their education. Seventeen-year-old Jasmine Kaur, a Grade 12 student at Strathcona High School, received one of the day’s loudest ovations.
“My teachers show up for us every single day,” she said, her voice steady despite the massive crowd. “They deserve better, and so do we. Education isn’t just another budget line – it’s our future.”
Parents I spoke with expressed mixed feelings about the impending strike. While many fully supported teachers, others worried about childcare arrangements and educational disruptions, particularly for students already affected by pandemic learning losses.
“I completely understand why they’re striking, and I support them,” said Carlos Mendez, father of two elementary students. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t stressed about what we’ll do next week. Both my wife and I work full-time.”
As the gathering began to disperse around 6:30 p.m., I watched small groups of teachers huddled together, sharing encouragement and making plans for Monday’s picket lines. There was determination in their expressions, but also unmistakable concern about the path ahead.
What happens next remains uncertain. The ATA has indicated the strike could last up to two weeks initially, though further job action remains possible if negotiations don’t progress. Emergency talks scheduled for the weekend might yet prevent the walkout, though few at yesterday’s rally expressed optimism about last-minute solutions.
For Edmonton families, the coming days will require adjustments and flexibility. Many community centers and recreation facilities have announced extended hours and special programming to accommodate students during the strike, though these options may come with additional costs for families.
As I left the legislature grounds, the setting sun painted the building and surrounding trees in warm golden light – a beautiful scene contrasting sharply with the serious concerns that brought thousands to this spot. Whatever comes next, yesterday’s rally made one thing clear: Edmonton’s education community is finding its collective voice, and they’re determined to be heard.
