At A Glance - Week of November 5, 2025
Fall 2025 Speech from the Throne
The Government of Alberta’s fall 2025 Speech from the Throne outlined key priorities for the new legislative session. Key initiatives include strengthening Alberta’s position in federal and U.S. relations, diversifying the economy, controlling spending, and growing the heritage fund to $250 billion by 2050. The government also plans to welcome newcomers while asserting more provincial control over immigration and infrastructure investment. Major investments are earmarked for education, including $8.6 billion to build 130 schools and open 200,000 new spaces.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith commented: “Albertans have been clear about their priorities, and this government is acting on them. Through this legislative session, we are putting those priorities into action with policies that strengthen health care, improve classrooms, protect freedoms and advance nation-building projects that strengthen Alberta’s role as the driving force in Canada’s future.”
Alberta Legislates End of Teachers’ Strike
The Alberta legislature has passed the Back to School Act, ending the province-wide teachers’ strike. The law enacts the terms of a tentative four-year collective agreement reached in September 2025, which includes a 12 per cent salary increase and funding to hire 3,000 teachers and 1,500 educational assistants. The legislation suspends local bargaining for its duration and imposes financial penalties for non-compliance.
The government says the legislation is necessary to protect students’ learning. The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the Official Opposition criticized the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to prevent potential court challenges. The ATA has urged the province to address ongoing concerns about class sizes and classroom complexity.
Modernizing Oversight of Private Career Colleges
The Government of Alberta is proposing updates to the Private Vocational Training Act to modernize oversight of private career colleges, strengthen student protections and ensure programs are aligned with labour-market needs. The changes would create a Student Tuition Protection Fund for students affected by college closures, enforce stricter recruitment standards, and establish a public registry of licensed colleges and programs.
“Students and employers count on Alberta’s private training providers to deliver high-quality education that prepares people for in-demand careers. These proposed amendments would strengthen oversight, enhance transparency, and ensure students are protected as they pursue their education and career goals, while allowing us to address problematic behaviour when it arises,” commented Minister of Advanced Education, Myles McDougall.
Investments in Alberta’s Agri-Tourism Sector
The Government of Alberta is investing in agritourism through Travel Alberta’s program, with $1.7 million allocated last year to support rural operations such as ranch stays, farm-to-table dinners, and corn maze attractions. These initiatives aim to boost the province’s rural economies, link visitors with local farmers and producers, and help reach the goal of growing the visitor economy to $25 billion annually by 2035.
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ Sigurdson, stated: “Alberta’s farmers and ranchers are some of the best ambassadors for our province. By opening their gates and sharing their stories, they’re helping more people experience the passion, hard work, and pride that define Alberta agriculture. Agri-tourism not only strengthens rural economies, it deepens the connection between consumers and the people who produce their food.”