In a heated exchange during the first question period of the Alberta legislature, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi confronted Premier Danielle Smith over the state of education in the province. This marked Nenshi's debut in the legislature after being elected as the MLA for Edmonton Strathcona in June 2024. His first day coincides with a significant labor dispute, as 51,000 teachers across Alberta enter their fourth week on strike.

Nenshi opened the session with pointed questions regarding the government's plan to introduce Bill 2, known as the Back to School Act. This legislation aims to mandate teachers to return to work and invokes the notwithstanding clause. Just before entering the legislature, Nenshi told reporters, "Today is going to be a historic day and not in a good way," highlighting the contentious nature of the proposed bill. He added, "My first day of real house business and gosh, thanks to the government for making an easy one for me."

During the exchange, Nenshi accused Smith of allowing public education funding to drop to the lowest per capita level in the nation. He referenced a previous statement from Smith, questioning her credibility: "If Albertans can’t trust what the premier wrote before, how can they trust what she says today?"

In response, Smith defended her government's approach to education. She emphasized plans to report on class sizes, establish a task force to address classroom complexities, and increase funding for the education system. Smith remarked, "I imagine we’re going to play this parlour game of me quoting the member opposite and him quoting me," referring to Nenshi's past as a public official.

Nenshi, undeterred, asserted, "Oh, Mr. Speaker, I’m not afraid of my record. I will put my record up against this government’s record every day."

As the legislature prepares to introduce Bill 2 later today, tensions between the two leaders are expected to continue as they navigate the ongoing education crisis in Alberta.