Alberta teachers call for education bump as per-student spending drops again
A new ad campaign from the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) takes aim at the province for what it calls "chronic underfunding" underscored by last week's budget.
The ATA is launching television, radio, billboard, print and online advertisements this week.
Three spots will focus on the 4.4 per cent funding bump education received in the UCP's latest financial outline.
"We want every Albertan to know clearly and understand that despite having the richest economy in the country, we have the poorest public education system," ATA president Jason Schilling said.
"There's no excusing this."
It's not the first time teachers have taken aim at the UCP, but it may be the most dire situation yet, according to Schilling.
He says student enrolment growth has outpaced teacher population increases by more than two to one.
A 2023 Fraser Institute report shows Alberta saw the fastest growing enrolment rate in Canada last year, but its inflation-adjusted per-student spending is rapidly declining and the worst in the nation.
"Our students deserve better in this province, and the government needs to cut the excuses on why they're not funding education properly," Schilling said.
"If we don't address the learning conditions and the teaching conditions in our schools, teachers are going to leave and that's going to exacerbate the problem."
The spending was defended by the province's finance minister on Tuesday.
"The two big (budget) line items were in health and education," Nate Horner told CTV News.
"It's a priority of Albertans, it's a priority of ours and it's a great budget in that sense."
As Alberta continues to grow, the ATA sees it differently.
"We needed to see in this budget an increase of 13 per cent just to come to the Canadian average in terms of funding per student," Schilling said.
"Not only are they underfunding it," Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley said, "they are disproportionately funding private schools. So our public system is actually getting even less."
The ad campaign, which is teacher-funded, pushes Albertans to stoptheexcuses.ca to learn more.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.