As Alberta braces for a possible province-wide teachers’ strike, the provincial government has unveiled a financial support initiative aimed at easing the burden on families with young children.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) announced Monday that the overwhelming majority of its members rejected the province’s latest contract offer. The union had stated that if the deal were rejected, teachers would go on strike as of Oct. 6.

In response, the provincial government announced the Parent Support Payment Program on Tuesday, which will provide eligible parents and guardians with $30 per child, per day, for children aged 12 and under who are affected by school closures.

The province states that the payments are designed to help offset additional expenses, such as childcare and meals

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