AB Bill 2 — Back to School Act
Introduced by the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
Bill Type: Government Bill
Bill Sponsor: Horner
Amendments: No
Money Bill: No
Documents Bill 2
First Reading
October 27, 2025 passed on division: 26
Second Reading
October 27, 2025 passed on division: 27-28 29-35
Committee of the Whole
October 27, 2025 35-36 passed on division: 37-45
Third Reading
October 27, 2025 45-46 passed on division: 47-54
Royal Assent
October 28, 2025 outside of House sitting
Comes into Force
October 28, 2025 SA 2025 cB-0.5 4/22/2026 5:18 PM
WHO GAINS POWER
- Government — imposed a binding collective agreement on teachers and school boards without negotiation
- Labour Relations Board — given authority to enforce the Act and rule on violations
- Government — shielded from any legal challenge, lawsuit or human rights complaint arising from this Act
WHO LOSES POWER
- Teachers (ATA) — lost the right to strike immediately upon the Act coming into force
- School boards and TEBA — lost the right to lock out employees immediately upon the Act coming into force
- Labour Relations Board, human rights tribunals and arbitrators — blocked from ruling on the constitutionality of this Act or whether it conflicts with the Alberta Bill of Rights or Alberta Human Rights Act
- Courts — any proceeding launched before this Act passed is considered dismissed with no costs
WHO GAINS MONEY
- School boards — labour costs locked in under the legislated agreement from September 1 2024 to August 31 2028
- Government — avoids ongoing costs of a prolonged strike and dispute resolution process
WHO LOSES MONEY
- Teachers — wages and terms set by Government, not negotiation; no legal recourse for lost earnings during the strike
- Individuals fined up to $500 and organizations fined up to $500,000 for each day they violate the Act
THE CATCH
- This Act explicitly overrides the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (sections 2 and 7–15), the Alberta Bill of Rights and the Alberta Human Rights Act
- No court, tribunal or arbitrator can question whether this Act is constitutional or conflicts with human rights law
- Government and its ministers cannot be sued for anything done under this Act — past, present or future
- The Act repeals itself on August 31 2028 or earlier by Proclamation