Community Chest

NDP Stands Tall in Legislature Marathon

In a legislative marathon that stretched from 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, deep into the night, Alberta's NDP fiercely opposed Bill 2, the Back to School Act. This dramatic session, designed to force striking teachers back to work, has gripped Calgarians, underscoring the determination to champion local issues, even against the UCP's majority.

For Albertans, the impact of this bill is profound. After nearly 17 days out of classrooms, students across the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) are mandated to return by Wednesday, October 29. While the Act legislates a 12 percent salary increase over four years and promises 3,000 new teachers province-wide, it also invokes the notwithstanding clause, preventing legal challenges and imposing hefty fines for non-compliance.

Many Calgary parents, already grappling with childcare disruptions and issues accessing government support payments during the strike, face mixed emotions. Some are relieved for school to resume, yet teachers and supporting families fear this legislated return does not address core issues. Calgarian educators have consistently highlighted surging class sizes and the urgent need for more resources to support students with complex needs, concerns acutely felt in Calgary's already near-capacity public school system.

The dispute’s resolution, forced by legislation, leaves teachers feeling demoralized and disrespected. Experts warn of potential "work-to-rule" actions, which could see a dramatic cut to extracurricular activities and additional student support, profoundly impacting Calgary students beyond the classroom. This legislative move not only signals a significant shift in labour relations but also resonates deeply within Calgary's tradition of spirited public debate, ensuring this conversation is far from over.

Petition Power: Forever Canadian Smashes Signature Goal!

The "Forever Canadian" petition, championed by former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, has significantly surpassed its goal of approximately 300,000 signatures, collecting over 456,000 in-person endorsements from eligible Albertan voters by its October 28, 2025 deadline. This initiative, formally launched in August 2025 and approved by Elections

Five Days to Victory: What Ontario's Education Workers Teach Us About Standing Together

Alberta’s classrooms will see teachers return this week under a government mandate, but a powerful lesson from Ontario reminds Calgarians of the swift impact collective action can have. Just three years ago, in November 2022, Ontario’s government passed Bill 28, the Keeping Students in Class Act. This legislation

Ranchmen’s Club Waste Woes: A Shared Alley Dilemma

Hold onto your hats, Beltline residents – there's a sticky situation brewing right in our shared urban backyard. The historic Ranchmen’s Club at 710 13th Ave SW, a cornerstone of Calgary’s social scene since 1891, is facing a modern problem: their waste management is, frankly, a mess.

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