Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she wants to form a commission on education after the provincewide teachers strike is over.

Smith says she wants to see a negotiated settlement with the union representing 51,000 teachers, who walked off the job Oct. 6.

Smith says the province will need “new models” to ensure issues like classroom complexity get addressed.

The main sticking points in the labour dispute have been wages, supports and classroom sizes.

The idea of a commission echoes another formed after the last teachers strike in 2002 to study the state of Alberta’s education system.

Smith made the comment about a new commission to reporters at an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce event, while outside a roaring crowd of thousands demanded investments in education.

Jason Schilling, preside

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