Alberta
New COVID-19 restrictions to stop the spike
New mandatory health restrictions will help stop the spike of COVID-19 and protect the health system.These include new restrictions on outdoor social gatherings, schools, retail, restaurants, places of worship, personal and wellness services, outdoor sports and fitness, funerals, and post-secondary institutions. The new restrictions come into force effective May 5, unless indicated otherwise, and will remain in place for at least three weeks. These new measures apply to all Albertans, businesses, organizations and service providers in municipalities or areas with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people and with 30 or more active cases. Expanded public health measuresThe following mandatory public health measures will apply to all communities with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people and with 30 or more active cases:
All other public health measures remain in place, including masking and physical distancing requirements. These measures apply to any region or community except those with fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 people and fewer than 30 active cases. This eliminates any distinction in restrictions for hot spot areas. Municipalities below the regional thresholdMunicipalities that have fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 people and/or fewer than 30 active cases will be required to return to Step 0 level restrictions. This includes:
Strengthening enforcementTo reinforce the importance of following public health orders and the consequences of not doing so, fines will double to $2,000 for Public Health Act violations. To do this, an Order in Council will amend the Procedures Regulation of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act to enable the increased fines to take effect as soon as possible. Repeat offenders, whether individuals, organizations or businesses, who are repeatedly or continually violating public health orders will be targeted with a new enforcement protocol. The protocol is now in place and will be used to coordinate a multi-agency response to repeat offenders. If one organization is unable to gain compliance, a coalition of enforcement partners will work with each other to respond as quickly as possible with the most effective measures to gain compliance in that situation. The protocol also outlines steps for ongoing monitoring, which will assist authorities with deciding how to escalate legal and regulatory consequences against offenders that refuse to comply with previous enforcement measures. Partners in the provincial group include Alberta Health Services, Occupational Health and Safety, Alberta Prosecution Service and local police services. Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis will also participate when cases involve licensees or activities under its jurisdiction. As is the case with the public health orders themselves, the goal of this enforcement protocol is to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and the resulting threat to public health and strain on the health care system. Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting lives and livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses and protect Alberta’s health-care system
Quick facts: Municipalities below the regional thresholdAs of May 4, the following municipalities have fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 people and/or fewer than 30 active cases will be required to return to Step 0 level restrictions:
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From LifeSiteNews
Thousands of Albertans marched upon the province’s capital of Edmonton this past Saturday in the “I Am Alberta Rally,” calling for the province to immediately secede from Canada in light of increasing frustration with the Liberal federal government.
The rally saw an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people march on the steps of the Alberta legislative building, demanding that a referendum be held at once to allow Alberta to leave Canada.
“We can’t delay. We can’t slow down,” well-known freedom lawyer Keith Wilson said at the rally as he spoke to the crowd.
“This is our moment. This is our future. For our families, for our children, for Alberta. Alberta will be free.”
The group behind the rally, the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), bills itself as a sovereignty advocacy group. As reported by LifeSiteNews earlier this year, the APP wants to put Alberta independence to a question to the people via a referendum.
The rally also comes after certain members affiliated with the APP such as Jeffrey Rath and Dr. Dennis Modry earlier the month met in Washington, D.C. with cabinet-level U.S. politicians to discuss Alberta’s potential independence from Canada.
U.S. President Donald Trump has routinely suggested that Canada become an American state in recent months, often making such statements while talking about or implementing trade tariffs on Canadian goods.
The APP on July 4 applied for a citizen-led petition presented to Elections Alberta that asks, “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?”
The group is hoping to have the referendum on the ballot as early as next year and has accused the Liberal federal government of encroaching on Alberta’s ability to manage its own affairs.”
The group says an independent Alberta would allow it to “keep our resources, grow our economy, and reinvest in Alberta families, businesses and infrastructure.”
As it stands now, the referendum question has been referred to the courts to see whether or not it can proceed.
Alberta Conservative Premier Danielle Smith does not support a fully independent Alberta. However, she does advocate for the province to have more autonomy from Ottawa.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, Smith said her conservative government will allow but not support a citizen-led referendum on independence.
Despite not advocating for an outright separate Alberta, Smith’s government has not stood still when it comes to increasing provincial autonomy.
Smith’s United Conservative government earlier this year passed Bill 54, which sets the groundwork for possible independence referendums by making such votes easier to trigger. The bill lowers the signature threshold from 600,000 to 177,000.
As reported by LifeSiteNews last week, Smith’s government introduced a new law to protect “constitutional rights” that would allow it to essentially ignore International Agreements, including those by the World Health Organization (WHO), signed by the federal Liberal government.
The calls for independence have grown since Liberal leader Mark Carney defeated Conservative rival Pierre Poilievre.
Carney, like former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before him, said he is opposed to new pipeline projects that would allow Alberta oil and gas to be unleashed. Also, his green agenda, like Trudeau’s, is at odds with Alberta’s main economic driver, its oil and gas industry.
Alberta
Premier Smith sending teachers back to school and setting up classroom complexity task force
Taking action on classroom complexity
As schools reopen, Alberta’s government is taking action by appointing a class size and complexity task force to meet the challenge of increasingly complex classrooms.
Across Alberta, teachers are seeing more students with diverse learning needs and behavioural challenges, while incidents of classroom aggression are rising. To address these challenges head on, and in response to concerns raised by teachers, Alberta’s government will be appointing a Class Size and Complexity Task Force.
We recently formed the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team to identify practical classroom focused solutions. Alberta’s government has received the action team’s draft final report and will use its recommendations to create a roadmap for safer classrooms. Alberta’s government will release the final report, and the task force will implement solutions, work with school boards to gather more data on classroom complexity and begin work to replace the 2004 Standards for Special Education.
“Teachers have made it clear that addressing classroom complexity and safety are among the most critical improvements needed in our education system. We are taking real action to meet those needs by strengthening classroom supports, hiring more teachers and educational assistants, and acting on the recommendations of the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team. Parents, teachers and students all want the same thing – safe and supportive classrooms where every child can succeed.”
Teachers are vital to the success of Alberta’s education system. Over the next three years, school boards will be provided with funding to hire 3,000 teachers and 1,500 new education assistants to support students with complex needs. These funds may also be allocated to additional student support through assessments for complex needs, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or speech-language pathology, and other in-the-classroom supports.
“No teacher should ever be harmed while doing their job. We know that aggressive incidents have gone up sharply in recent years, and classrooms are becoming more complex. That’s why we’re doubling down on efforts to make classrooms safer and to give extra support to students who need it. Our goal is to create learning environments where every student can succeed.”
In November, Alberta’s government will work with school boards to gather information and data about class sizes and composition to ensure students are receiving the support they need. Information will be made available as soon as it is available and will be released annually thereafter.
Quick facts
- Between July and September 2025, the action team conducted engagement sessions with teachers, education partners and school boards through in-person and virtual sessions.
- This included front-line educators, families, disability organizations, community agencies, early learning experts and social service professionals.
- Budget 2025 included $55 million to help address classroom complexity – a 20 per cent increase from the previous year.
Getting Alberta’s kids back to school
If passed, Bill 2, the Back to School Act, will restore stability in Alberta’s education system and ensure students can return to learning without further disruption.
The ongoing teachers’ strike has disrupted classrooms across Alberta, setting back student learning and deepening achievement gaps. Each day schools remain closed, students lose critical instructional time, routine and support. This proposed legislation will end the strike and establish reasonable terms for a new teacher collective agreement.
“This strike has gone on long enough. It’s clear there’s no path forward unless we act. The Back to School Act refocuses everyone on what matters most, the education of Alberta’s students. Bill 2 puts students back at the centre of our system, while we continue to work with teachers and families to build lasting stability in Alberta’s schools.”
The Back to School Act legislates the terms of the September 2025 tentative agreement, which provided a 12 per cent salary increase over four years, additional market adjustments of up to 17 per cent for most teachers, and the hiring of 3,000 teachers and 1,500 educational assistants. The collective agreement will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2028.
“The time for labour stability is now. This legislation provides a positive path forward despite an interrupted school year. This is a necessary step and the most responsible decision for kids, teachers and parents. If Bill 2 is passed, it is my hope that classes will resume as soon as Wednesday, October 29.”
The last deal put on the table by the Alberta Teachers’ Association demanded an additional $2 billion from government. This was a clear display that the union had no intention to bargain in a reasonable manner with the government and present a fair offer.
“We believe invoking the notwithstanding clause is a necessary measure to end the undue hardship caused by the teacher strike. This strike has reached a point that is causing irreparable harm on student learning. Our government will not hesitate to use every available legal tool in defence of students.”
This legislation is the only responsible path forward to restore stability, protect students and ensure Alberta’s classrooms focus back on learning. Alberta’s government remains fully committed to strengthening the education system, supporting teachers, and putting the success and well-being of students at the heart of every decision made.
Key facts
- Bill 2 would end the province-wide teachers’ strike and legislates a new collective agreement.
- The agreement covers Sept. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2028 and provides:
- A 12 per cent salary increase over four years.
- Additional market adjustments of up to 17 per cent for 95 per cent of members.
- 3,000 new teachers and 1,500 educational assistants to reduce class sizes and enhance support.
- These terms reflect the September 2025 tentative agreement recommended by the Alberta Teachers’ Association leadership.
- The legislation includes financial penalties for non-compliance and suspends local bargaining during the agreement to ensure labour stability through 2028.
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