When Alberta teachers voted nearly 90 percent against the government’s latest contract offer, the message was clear: the deal does not meet the needs of our classrooms or our students.
Yet, within hours, the Government of Alberta released a press release painting itself as the rational adult in the room — and portraying teachers as greedy or misled by their union. That’s spin. Here are the facts.
1. Salaries Have Stagnated
Since 2012, Alberta teachers’ salaries have grown just five to six percent. Over the same period, inflation has risen more than 30 percent. In plain terms, teachers are earning far less today than they did a decade ago. Alberta now ranks last in Canada for per-student operational funding. Asking teachers to accept another deal that doesn’t even keep up with the cost of living isn’t “responsible budgeting,” it’s wage erosion.
Imagine asking nurses to take below-inflation raises because the government neglected to buy hospital equipment for 15 years. Or telling truck drivers to tighten their belts so the company can finally buy more trucks. That’s what teachers are being asked to swallow.
2. Retention and Quality Matter More Than Numbers
The government boasts about hiring “thousands” of new teachers and education assistants. But without competitive pay and manageable classrooms, where will these new teachers come from? And how long will they stay? Nearly half of new teachers leave the profession within five years. Adding “more bodies” won’t help if experienced educators keep walking out the door.
Research is crystal clear: the teacher effect—the impact of a quality teacher—is the single strongest in-school driver of student success. Lowering standards just to fill vacancies means your child’s education suffers.
3. Class Size and Complexity Can’t Be Ignored
Classrooms today are more diverse and complex than ever, with students facing learning challenges, language barriers, and mental-health struggles. Alberta once tracked and capped class sizes. That accountability ended in 2019. Teachers aren’t just asking for fair pay—they’re asking for hard caps on class size and compensation when complexity pushes classes beyond agreed limits. That means more attention for your child, not less.
4. Funding Flexibility Helps Communities
Every school has different needs. One may require more teachers, another more education assistants, another a learning-plan specialist or cultural coordinator. Teachers want school boards to have the flexibility to deploy resources where they matter most. That’s what real “choice” in education looks like.
5. This Is About Respect and Trust
Teachers are not greedy. They’ve traded salary increases for years, hoping governments would invest more in students. Instead, conditions have worsened: larger classes, less support, fewer resources. Teachers are now saying “no more.” They are standing up not only for themselves, but for every child who deserves a competitive education system that attracts and keeps the best teachers.
Teaching is hard work. You can’t coast in front of a classroom full of students. That’s why almost 50 percent of teachers burn out and leave within five years. To those outside education: teachers aren’t taking money away from students. They are demanding the funding and respect that ensures Alberta offers a great public education so that your kids thrive.
So when you read the government’s press releases, remember: don’t be fooled by divide-and-conquer tactics, spin, or public shaming. Facts matter. Teachers are being honest about what’s happening in classrooms—and the disinformation campaign against them is designed to turn the public against those working hardest for your children.
For two decades, teachers have accepted trade-offs, salary freezes, and heavier workloads to keep schools running. Yet instead of being offered a fair deal, we are dragged through the mud and portrayed as the villains once again. That disrespect cuts deep. It tells dedicated professionals that their sacrifices don’t count, that their voices don’t matter. No workforce can thrive under those conditions; neither can our children’s education.
It’s time to stop the blame game, start listening honestly, and invest to fix the real, systemic issues that public education faces.
For your children’s sake: make your voice heard and contact your local MLA.
Jocelyn Nadeau // info@thejasperlocal.com
Jocelyn Nadeau has been a teacher in Jasper since 2008.
