New Alberta legislation that orders thousands of striking teachers back to work passed through the province’s legislature in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Bill 2, the Back to School Act, was tabled late Monday in the assembly. The governing United Conservative Party caucus used its majority of MLAs to vote the bill through the stages of the legislative process, passing third reading in the early hours of Tuesday.

The bill awaits royal assent from Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani which could come later on Tuesday.

On Monday, Premier Danielle Smith said she expects students and teachers to be back in the classroom on Wednesday.

“We’ve seen how this strike has impacted our students, and we know from the COVID-19 pandemic how quickly and severely learning loss can impact children when they’re

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