• Alberta government to end DEI public sector hiring

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-27 21:37:20.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Labour, Education]

  The Alberta government tabled a new legislative bill under Premier Danielle Smith to prohibit public bodies—including public agencies, Crown corporations, post-secondary schools, school boards, and municipalities—from utilizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in hiring decisions. The proposed legislation mandates that hiring must be based strictly on merit and qualifications. Furthermore, the bill prohibits public bodies from implementing mandatory DEI training for staff unless deemed strictly necessary for the job, and government officials indicated that the policy may eventually extend to non-profit agencies receiving government grants through future regulations.

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• 'Undermining the very profession': Alberta Teachers' Association gives province straight Ds one year after historic strike

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-27 19:34:36.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Education, Labour, Governance]

  One year after the 23-day strike by 51,000 teachers that ended with the provincial passage of Bill 2 (the Back to School Act), Alberta Teachers' Association President Jason Schilling gave the Government of Alberta straight Ds regarding class sizes, complexity, and teacher salaries. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides countered that the 2026 provincial budget allocated a record $10.8 billion to education—a $722 million increase from 2025—and noted the hiring of over 2,100 new teachers, including 566 staff for complexity teams. Schilling maintained that classrooms remain overcrowded, citing instances of 37 students in a single high school class, and argued the province has fallen short of the 5,000 new teachers needed.

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• Alberta referendum questions don't target permanent residents, new Canadians: Schow

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-28 11:05:03.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Immigration, Labour, Healthcare, Education, Governance]

  Alberta Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow defended the upcoming October 19, 2026 referendum ballot, which features five questions asking Albertans if they wish to take more control over immigration policies, reduce temporary foreign worker and student numbers, and require temporary residents to contribute to education and healthcare costs. Schow stated the measures target an influx of temporary foreign workers and students that have strained public systems and contributed to a youth unemployment rate of 15 per cent. According to federal statistics cited, a total of 385,000 foreign workers and students are expected in Canada this year, with caps dropping to 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028.

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• New school year brings more teachers and tighter rules on politics in Alberta classrooms

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-02 21:12:43.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Education, Labour, Governance]

  Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced new rules under Bill 25 (An Act to Remove Politics and Ideology from Classrooms and Amend the Education Act, 2026) restricting school boards, staff, and students from discussing politically charged topics and taking positions on social issues. Beginning December 1, amendments to teacher professional conduct regulations will require objectivity and balanced presentation of issues. Additionally, the provincial government hired 2,127 new teachers for the school year, which includes 566 teachers allocated as part of 699 funded complexity teams intended to support students across kindergarten to grade 12.

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