Bill 85 to create online public registry of Alberta teachers, streamline disciplinary process
A bill tabled in the Alberta legislature could see an online registry created in the province that would allow parents to view more information about a teacher or teacher leader, including any disciplinary action they may have faced.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange introduced Bill 85 — the Students First Act — on Tuesday afternoon. If passed, Bill 85 would also shorten the judicial review period for disciplinary decisions from six months to 60 days, and would require the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) to notify Alberta Education about all complaints made about its members.
"By making disciplinary matters more transparent, we will ensure safety for students, confidence for parents and accountability for teachers," reads part of a statement from LaGrange.
"The vast majority of teachers across Alberta are incredible, hard-working educators who have the best interest of their students at heart. However, when instances of professional misconduct or criminal wrongdoing do arise, they need to be dealt with quickly and transparently."
Alberta NDP Education Critic Sarah Hoffman issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, calling the bill nothing more than a way to distract from ongoing issues.
"It's "disappointing that Minister LaGrange is using her time in the legislature to duplicate existing measures when she should be working to fix the problems she has created in our schools."
“Alberta students will be struggling to catch up on years of learning loss due to her failure to keep students safe through the pandemic," it read.
“She has taken away educational assistants and other supports that students with complex needs rely on.
“She is forcing a backward, racist, and age-inappropriate curriculum on students, staff and families who have overwhelmingly rejected it.
“Just this month, we learned that students across Alberta are in danger of losing their school bus transportation because the UCP chose to help their friends in the insurance industry rather than protect working families.
“This bill is a cynical attempt to distract from the catalog of harm Adriana LaGrange has caused to Alberta’s education system.”
Bill 85 would also cut the number of ATA committees from six to three and would include teachers appointed to the positions along with public members appointed by the minister. The education minister would still have final say on whether a teacher should have their certificate suspended or revoked.
The online registry would be searchable and would show the names of teachers, the type of certificates they hold and whether any of those certificates have been suspended or cancelled since 1990.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.