The Alberta Teachers’ Association

The Alberta Teachers’ Association President Jason Schilling has issued the following statement in response to today’s passage of Bill 15:

“Bill 15 is a mistake and its implementation will significantly alter Alberta’s public education system.

Without any meaningful consultation, the minister of education has passed this legislation, which fundamentally changes the identity and culture of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. 

I echo the words of great Albertans like Myer Horowitz and David King when I say that this will be profoundly damaging to one of the world’s best education systems.

Albertans should be very concerned that this bill was passed based on unfounded allegations propelled by lies and misinformation.

However, we will continue to act with integrity and, despite the efforts of the minister to undermine public confidence, we will continue to do our important work to protect the public interest by upholding professional standards in the transition period. We are worried, though, that the minister believes she can establish a commissioner’s office ready to take over this work in just seven months. She has severely miscalculated the complexity of this critical work.

While the minister attempts to distract the public from her mishandling of the education file, particularly when it comes to issues like curriculum, underfunding, deteriorating classroom conditions and privatization, we will continue to focus on the things that matter most—students and schools.

Bill 15 is an effort to punish the Association and teachers for daring to stand up to the government’s bad decisions when it comes to education, and to coerce us into complying with their agenda, but we will not waver. We will continue today and into the future to stand up for students, for teachers and for public education.”

—Jason Schilling, ATA President

The Alberta Teachers’ Association, as the professional organization of teachers, promotes and advances public education, safeguards standards of professional practice and serves as the advocate for its 46,000 members.