Letter to the Prime Minister on the Alberta Government’s Bill 2
Statement from the President of the CTF/FCE
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) calls on the Prime Minister to turn his attention to the shameful and heavy-handed use of the notwithstanding clause by the Government of Alberta to force striking teachers back to work with Bill 2 – “Back to School Act”.
On behalf of the over 370,000 teachers and educators we represent, the CTF/FCE fully condemns the Government of Alberta’s recent decision to violate the collective bargaining and democratic rights of Alberta teachers. This action belies one of the fundamental democratic charter rights of all Canadians.
This precedent-setting decision blatantly aims to alter the relationship between a provincial government and its provincial teacher union. Intended or not, it has also impacted the Canadian labour movement nationally. The introduction of this legislation has expanded a dispute between the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) and the Government of Alberta to one between all Canadian workers and their employers. Organizations representing teachers in provinces and territories across the country have released or are preparing statements loudly echoing our condemnation of this action.
Bill 2 harms students and families long-term. It ignores the urgent crisis of classroom size and complexity, prolongs the very issues the ATA has been working to fix—like chronic underfunding of public education—and sets a dangerous precedent that allows governments to further erode the high-quality public services Canadians rely on: a key part of our national identity. If this becomes acceptable behaviour, the standards of the public education and public health systems—cornerstones of what makes Canada an enticing place to raise a family and call home—will continue to erode.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrines the fundamental right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, both essential pillars of democratic labour relations in Canada. The rights that Canadian workers have fought for over many decades need to be strengthened, especially in times of a shifting global economy and uncertainty, rather than being made optional on a whim.
We urge the Federal government to review the applicability of the Notwithstanding Clause when provincial/territorial governments use it to deny citizens fundamental democratic and human rights. Canada is a federation, but there are limits to what is acceptable; violating basic rights must not become permissible. We call upon Prime Minister Carney to protect the standard of rights and freedoms that everyone in this country deserves to rely on.
Clint Johnston,
CTF/FCE President
About the CTF/FCE
Founded in 1920, the CTF/FCE is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations that represent over 370,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. The CTF/FCE is also an affiliate of Education International, which represents more than 33 million educators.
Media Contact
Nika Quintao, Director of Public Affairs (CTF/FCE)
[email protected]
Mobile: 613-688-4319
