The Alberta government is preparing to introduce legislation to mandate teachers return to work amid an ongoing strike. Premier Danielle Smith's team met behind closed doors on Tuesday to discuss the situation, which they describe as a last resort. Joseph Schow, the Premier's legislative quarterback, emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, "I think everyone would agree kids belong in the classroom. As a government we understand that. We are going to take whatever steps are needed to make sure kids are in the classroom and getting the education they need to be successful going forward."

The Alberta legislature is set to reconvene on Monday, October 27, with the government focused on passing a law to end the strike. Schow did not specify when the back-to-work legislation would be introduced but indicated that the government is prepared to act swiftly if no agreement is reached with the teachers by the end of the month.

The Smith administration has made it clear that allowing the strike to continue could cause significant harm to students. Schow stated, "We are going to discuss all the means available to us," as the government seeks to ensure that students return to the classroom without further delay.

Currently, the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and the government are not engaged in negotiations. The two sides appear to be further apart than ever, with the ATA rejecting a previous contract offer that included a pay increase of up to 17 percent over four years, along with commitments for new schools and additional staff. The government’s offer was valued at $2.6 billion over four years, while the teachers are seeking a $4.6 billion deal.

The opposition, led by Naheed Nenshi and the Alberta NDP, has vowed to oppose any back-to-work legislation. Schow anticipates strong resistance from the opposition, stating, "I would suspect it wouldn’t be too far in saying the opposition would oppose such legislation vehemently."

The government has suggested involving an independent third party to facilitate negotiations, but the ATA has insisted on a cap on class sizes as a condition for any agreement. The Smith administration argues that there are alternative solutions to address overcrowded classrooms, but the ATA has not accepted these proposals.

As the situation develops, the government is preparing for potential backlash from teachers and their supporters. Schow acknowledged the political implications, saying, "We’re prepared and ready to get this thing done." The ongoing strike has raised concerns about the impact on students, and the government is under pressure to resolve the issue promptly.

With the legislature's return approaching, the outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, but the government is poised to take decisive action if necessary to ensure that students can return to their classrooms soon.