UCP leadership candidates get an earful from Alberta Teachers' Association at Banff event
Wednesday, Alberta teachers had their say on the future of provincial education and they let the candidates hoping to become the next UCP leader know how they felt.
They grilled leadership candidates on their plans for education.
The candidates had some hits and misses, and by the end, skeptical teachers said it is actions that will rebuild trust that's been lost between them and the United Conservatives.
That much was acknowledged by UCP leadership hopeful Todd Loewen, who said, "It sounds like maybe an understatement.
"The last time there was any real communication was February 2021," he added, "and that's too long."
From the widely-reviled K to six curriculum rewrite to pension fund changes, the list of grievances is long.
Alberta Teacher Association president Jason Schilling said the UCP has "failed students and failed teachers" Wednesday
"They’ve failed public education," said Alberta Teachers Association president Jason Schilling. "They've failed students, they've failed teachers and they've failed the school communities.
"Teachers have not been consulted on curriculum. They've not been consulted on the pension deal that happened in 2019."
Along with promises of improved consultation and respect, there was also an acknowledgement from various candidates that school boards need more stable funding models.
"Funding must be relative to population growth, inflation (and) guided by enrollment," said Leela Aheer.
Brian Jean suggested "ideology" needed to be removed from the classroom, while also acknowledging problems with the new curriculum rollout.
"We can slow this down," Jean said, "and in September we can have a better curriculum and we have to re-evaluate it at this time, but folks the ATA should not be the enemy of the Government of Alberta."
By a show of hands, the crowd came mostly from school boards in traditionally conservative rural ridings, but nevertheless, at times hard feelings in the crowd rose to the surface.
Danielle Smith was heckled by the audience while attempting to criticize the province's math curriculum.
"Respect is a two way street guys," Smith said.
"That's what we've been asking for," said an audience member.
Smith and Jean are the front-runners in the race, with Travis Toews, who missed the event due to a scheduling conflict, also drawing significant support.
It's difficult to say how badly any of the candidates need teacher support to win.
"So the Conservatives sit back and go, well, we really don't need to worry about them (teachers)," said MRU political scientist Keith Brownsey.
"They (the teachers) may not like curriculum," he added, "but this is what our (political) base wants."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
What new auto insurance reforms will mean for Ontarians, if they get introduced
Ontario has among the highest rates for auto insurance premiums in Canada -- just below Alberta and Nova Scotia -- however, the introduction of an insurance reform in the provincial budget could soon lower prices.