The Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) released the funding number it hopes to see in Thursday’s provincial budget and said anything less is something Albertans “can’t afford.”
On Wednesday, ATA president Jason Schilling announced the organization wants to see the province budget $11.35 billion in total operational dollars for public education.
“I know $11.35 billion sounds like a lot of money, because it is a lot of money, but it amounts to an increase of $1.55 billion over existing spending,” Schilling said. “That’s an additional $9.50 per student per school day, based on the estimated enrollments for the 2025/26 school year.
“Not investing in Alberta’s future is something none of us can afford.”
Alberta ranks last out of all Canadian provinces in terms of operational spending per student and “it shows,” the ATA wrote in a news release.
“We currently have students who do not have their educational needs met daily,” Schilling said. “The longer we delay investing in our youth, the worse it will be.
“The shortfall in education spending means crowded classrooms, a lack of support and worsening learning and working conditions for both students and teachers.”
Alberta’s education system is dealing with numerous problems, including a shortage of teachers made worse by existing ones getting burnt out and leaving, according to Schilling.
“Our public school system remains in crisis, yet the province has previously flaunted projected surpluses of $4.6 billion - surpluses that easily could have been used to close the funding gap,” he added. “But they didn’t.”
“Chronic underfunding in our public school system is a deliberate, shameful choice this government has made.
“When the minister stands before the legislature and Albertans and delivers the budget, anything less than $11.35 billion for public education means that, once again, this government has failed Albertans in ensuring that the youth have the necessary resources, class sizes and teachers to succeed.”
CTV News Edmonton reached out to Finance Minister Nate Horner’s office for comment.
A spokesperson for the minister said to “stay tuned for the budget tomorrow.”
Alberta is also dealing with a growing number of educational support worker strikes.
On Tuesday, hundreds of support workers with Parkland School Division were the latest to join the picket lines.
Throughout the strikes, which began in January, CUPE has maintained that support workers do not receive a livable wage as a result of limited provincial funding.
The province has repeatedly said negotiations are between school boards and unions, and has accused CUPE National leaders of influencing local negotiations.
Despite his cynicism, Schilling said he is optimistic and hopes the province will “step up” for students.
“Since when has being below average been acceptable?” Schilling added. “As a province, we can do better, and as a government, they must do better.”
Alberta NDP MLA and shadow finance minister Court Ellingson is less optimistic about what the United Conservative Party will present in the budget.
“What we’re expecting in tomorrow’s budget is that we’re going to see cuts, that we are going to see a government that is going to say that they have to operate with restraint,” Ellingson said.
“We’re going to see further cuts in areas for those who are already hurt the most by the actions of this government.”
Horner said that one of the biggest concerns Albertans have is affordability and with the threats of tariffs from the U.S. looming, the budget will have “multiple scenarios.”
“Our baseline does assume some level of tariffs,” Horner said Wednesday.
“We’re looking at what the government can withstand when it comes to our revenue, but we’re very cognizant of what it could mean for everyday Albertans.”
Alberta municipalities are also hoping for additional funding in the budget, for infrastructure services.
“We need to start addressing some of that critical infrastructure within our municipalities … as we are setting ourselves up for disaster in the coming years,” said Kara Westerlund, with the Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
“What we really need is a relationship with our provincial government that’s going to continue to see the support that we need in the hundreds of millions of dollars,” added Ward pihêsiwin councilor Tim Cartmell.
The budget is set to be presented to the legislative assembly around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday.
CTV News Edmonton will stream the budget reveal live online.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Kenny, Miriam Valdes-Carletti and Chelan Skulski
