Alberta teachers push back on education-related referendum questions

Do you support the Government of Alberta introducing a law mandating that only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and individuals with an Alberta approved immigration status will be eligible for provincially-funded programs, such as health care, education and other social services?

and

4. Assuming that all Canadian citizens and permanent residents continue to qualify for public health care and education as they do now, do you support the Government of Alberta charging a reasonable fee or premium to individuals with a non-permanent immigration status living in Alberta for their and their family’s use of the healthcare and education systems?

On question two, the YES/NO vote is split 1,064,871 to 962,098.

On question four, the YES/NO vote is split 1,058,119 to 978,881.

In both cases, the difference is clearly narrow.

“The Alberta Teachers’ Association believes that funding for public education should be distributed in a way that ensures equitable access to educational opportunities for all students. The referendum results leave important questions unanswered for students, families, and schools,” adds Schilling.

“Albertans deserve clarity about what the proposed changes will mean in practice and when these changes will take effect. The government’s lack of clarity has left affected families uncertain about whether they will be required to pay for their children’s education and, if so, whether they can afford those costs. Some students are also left wondering whether they will continue to be welcomed in their classrooms alongside their friends. ”

The ATA is asking the government to provide clarity on three points:

Families: Who will be affected, what costs might they incur, and what happens if they cannot afford them?

Students: Will currently enrolled students continue to remain in their schools and receive the necessary supports?

Schools: When will changes take effect, and how will school boards be able to support students during this transition?

Unofficial referendum results are available here.

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READ/LISTEN: Lukaszuk, Solberg, and Central Albertans react to 2026 Alberta referendum

by Josh Hall

Alberta teachers push back on education-related referendum questions

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