$1 including gst
The Community
Press
TEXT ‘ABFIRES’ to 45678 to donate $10 to Red Cross for Jasper wildfire relie Volume 118 Issue 16
www.thecommunitypress.com
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 s
Allen and Ang Dietz honoured LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
Allen and Ang Dietz were recognized as Community Builders at a dinner hosted by the Battle River Community Foundation in Galahad on Saturday, Oct. 25. Above: Son and daughter-in-law Darryl and Rachel, Allen, daughter Dawn Dietz, Ang, son and daughter-in-law Darby and Alysha Dietz. Full story inside.
Province passes ‘Back to School’ bill to force end to strike Students go back to class Wednesday
Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The UCP Government introduced back to school legislation on Monday, Oct. 27 in the form of a bill it called the ‘Back to School’ Act. Premier Danielle Smith said Monday, “This strike has gone on long enough. It’s clear there’s no path forward unless we act. The Back to School Act refocuses everyone on what matters most, the education of Alberta’s students. Bill 2 puts students back at the centre of our system, while we continue to work with teachers and families to build lasting stability in Alberta’s schools.”
The province says,”The Back to School Act legislates the terms of the September 2025 tentative agreement, which provided a 12 per cent salary increase over four years, additional market adjustments of up to 17 per cent for most teachers, and the hiring of 3,000 teachers and 1,500 educational assistants. The collective agreement will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2028.” Minister of Finance Nate Horner said, “This is a necessary step and the most responsible decision for kids, teachers and parents. If Bill 2 is passed, it is my hope that classes will resume as soon as Wednesday, October 29.”
The bill comes with a penalty - any Minister of Justice Mickey Amery said, “We believe invoking the teacher defying the back-to-work notwithstanding clause is a necessary order is subject to up to a fine of $500 measure to end the undue hardship a day for individuals and $500,000 a caused by the teacher strike. This day for the union. The Battle River School Division strike has reached a point that is causing irreparable harm on student posted a notice on their website Tueslearning. Our government will not day morning: “It is anticipated that hesitate to use every available legal schools will re-open and classes for all students will resume on Wednestool in defence of students.” The Alberta Teacher’s Association day, Oct. 29. “Should this happen, schools will President Jason Schilling said, “This is a sad day for teachers, this is a sad be open at regular scheduled times. busAug. transportation day of Albertans. To have a governWe willStudents reopenaccessing Tuesday, 6 at should theedition bus to arrive at ment that is willing to trample on 9 a.m. and expect our next your Charter rights for their own their regular stop at the regular will still be published Wedneday. Aug. 7 purpose is a sad thing for this gov- time.” Ad deadlines will be noon Tuesday, Aug. 6 ernment to do.”
The Community Press office will be CLOSED Monday, August 5 for the Civic Holiday.