Janet French
@jantafrench.bsky.social
Provincial affairs reporter, CBC Edmonton 📻📺📝👩💻 Mildly obsessive about reporting on education. #AbEd
Bikes. Knitting. Parenting. Books. Plants. Did I mention bikes? 🚴🏽♀️🚲
Bikes. Knitting. Parenting. Books. Plants. Did I mention bikes? 🚴🏽♀️🚲
Alberta's justice minister has tabled a bill to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield a suite of legislation from legal challenges. The laws in question restrict the rights of transgender people in access to health care and sports, and affect K-12 education of all students.
#AbLeg #Abed
#AbLeg #Abed
Alberta to invoke notwithstanding clause to shield 3 transgender bills from court challenges | CBC News
The Alberta government has tabled legislation that seeks to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield a suite of bills that affects transgender youth and adults from legal challenges.
www.cbc.ca
November 18, 2025 at 10:09 PM
The Alberta government says it will pay for 3,000 more teachers over three years to ease a classroom crunch.
But the money didn't come as a result of the strike. It was already in last spring's budget before the Alberta teachers' walked off the job. #AbLeg #AbEd
But the money didn't come as a result of the strike. It was already in last spring's budget before the Alberta teachers' walked off the job. #AbLeg #AbEd
The Alberta government promised to pay for 3,000 more teachers. Some educators say the promise is deceptive | CBC News
When the Alberta government legislated a swift end to October’s provincial teachers’ strike, it pledged to pay for 3,000 more teaching positions during the next three school years. But what wasn't mad...
www.cbc.ca
November 14, 2025 at 10:46 PM
#YegFunicularStatus lower elevator out of service still, funicular running fine at 9:30 am 🚲 #yeg
November 13, 2025 at 5:26 PM
#YegFunicularStatus lower elevator out of service still, funicular running fine at 9:30 am 🚲 #yeg
I regret to inform you that it is the second Wednesday of the month.
Feels like there have been a lot of second Wednesdays of months lately.
#YegFunicularStatus
Feels like there have been a lot of second Wednesdays of months lately.
#YegFunicularStatus
November 12, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I regret to inform you that it is the second Wednesday of the month.
Feels like there have been a lot of second Wednesdays of months lately.
#YegFunicularStatus
Feels like there have been a lot of second Wednesdays of months lately.
#YegFunicularStatus
There were many numbers shared during the Alberta teacher strike about the cost of contract proposals. But harder to find how much the govt planned to spend hiring new teachers and EAs.
The education minister says some of the $ to hire 3000 new Ts is money already in the 2025 budget #AbLeg #AbEd
The education minister says some of the $ to hire 3000 new Ts is money already in the 2025 budget #AbLeg #AbEd
Alberta government committee has $400M over 3 years to resolve class size and complexity problems | CBC News
The Alberta government plans to use $400 million over the next three years — plus spending already earmarked in its existing budget documents — to pay for more teachers, educational assistants and bet...
www.cbc.ca
November 8, 2025 at 2:51 AM
A UCP-majority committee refused to give Alberta’s chief electoral officer the funding he says he needs to administer recall and citizen petition applications.
Campaigners say it’s a political move to thwart their efforts to hold the government accountable. #AbLeg
Campaigners say it’s a political move to thwart their efforts to hold the government accountable. #AbLeg
Recall organizers say UCP MLAs limiting Elections Alberta funding thwarts their efforts | CBC News
The organizers of some grassroots campaigns to recall United Conservative Party MLAs say a refusal to properly fund Elections Alberta is interfering with democratic rights.
www.cbc.ca
November 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
A UCP-majority committee refused to give Alberta’s chief electoral officer the funding he says he needs to administer recall and citizen petition applications.
Campaigners say it’s a political move to thwart their efforts to hold the government accountable. #AbLeg
Campaigners say it’s a political move to thwart their efforts to hold the government accountable. #AbLeg
Corporate and union donations are back in Alberta politics. And as @markusoff.bsky.social found out, one party benefited from that change much more in the last quarter. #AbLeg
UCP made corporate donations legal in Alberta again. Then, businesses gave them $471K in first period. | CBC Accessibility
Injury lawyers opened their wallets to support the United Conservative Party, while their fight against auto insurance reforms continues.
www.cbc.ca
November 5, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Corporate and union donations are back in Alberta politics. And as @markusoff.bsky.social found out, one party benefited from that change much more in the last quarter. #AbLeg
Reposted by Janet French
This morning at the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices...UCP majority introduces a motion starting a search committee for a new auditor general.
NDP MLA David Sheppard says Doug Wylie wants to stay on two more years. Wylie is reviewing the allegations of inappropriate health contracting.
NDP MLA David Sheppard says Doug Wylie wants to stay on two more years. Wylie is reviewing the allegations of inappropriate health contracting.
November 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
This morning at the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices...UCP majority introduces a motion starting a search committee for a new auditor general.
NDP MLA David Sheppard says Doug Wylie wants to stay on two more years. Wylie is reviewing the allegations of inappropriate health contracting.
NDP MLA David Sheppard says Doug Wylie wants to stay on two more years. Wylie is reviewing the allegations of inappropriate health contracting.
Unpacking the Alberta teachers' contract dispute, strike/lockout, back to work legislation and imposition of the notwithstanding clause, and the potential ramifications of this.
(AKA, mostly me rambling, sorry). A weekend listen for you. #AbLeg #AbEd
(AKA, mostly me rambling, sorry). A weekend listen for you. #AbLeg #AbEd
Front Burner | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen
Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Each morning, from Monday to Friday, host Jayme Poisson talks with the smartest people covering ...
www.cbc.ca
October 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
We have live updates today as Alberta teachers and students return to school after a strike and lockout cancelled classes for more than three weeks. Follow along here:
#AbLeg #Abed
#AbLeg #Abed
Alberta teachers, students head back to school after three-week strike | CBC
www.cbc.ca
October 29, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Education experts say tackling classroom complexity isn’t just about adding more humans to schools but looking at their training and skill sets to handle increasingly varied student needs - by Jessica Wong ##AbEd #AbLeg
Large class sizes remain unresolved in Alberta — and that's just where the issue begins | CBC News
Ballooning class sizes aren’t just a top concern for Alberta’s striking teachers, who are being legislated back to work. It's also an issue raised by Ontario elementary teachers preparing to start new...
www.cbc.ca
October 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Lots of updates to share today as Bill 2, the Back to School Act, is now law in Alberta.
Plenty of criticism of the government for stripping teachers of their charter rights. And pledges from govt to improve school conditions. #AbLeg #AbEd
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Plenty of criticism of the government for stripping teachers of their charter rights. And pledges from govt to improve school conditions. #AbLeg #AbEd
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta Teachers' Association vows to get bargaining rights back, in or out of court | CBC News
The Alberta Teachers’ Association says it will use every legal avenue it can find to challenge the provincial government’s Back to School Act.
www.cbc.ca
October 29, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Lots of updates to share today as Bill 2, the Back to School Act, is now law in Alberta.
Plenty of criticism of the government for stripping teachers of their charter rights. And pledges from govt to improve school conditions. #AbLeg #AbEd
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Plenty of criticism of the government for stripping teachers of their charter rights. And pledges from govt to improve school conditions. #AbLeg #AbEd
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
At 2 a.m., the Alberta legislature passed a bill that will force 51,000 teachers back to work, impose a four-year contract and use the notwithstanding clause to stave off a legal challenge and suspend teacher bargaining at the local level. It includes fines for Ts and the ATA if they defy it. #AbLeg
Striking Alberta teachers forced back to work by fast-tracked legislation, notwithstanding clause | CBC News
Bill 2 passed early Tuesday morning after a long night for lawmakers in the provincial legislature. Premier Danielle Smith’s government introduced the legislation the day before.
www.cbc.ca
October 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
At 2 a.m., the Alberta legislature passed a bill that will force 51,000 teachers back to work, impose a four-year contract and use the notwithstanding clause to stave off a legal challenge and suspend teacher bargaining at the local level. It includes fines for Ts and the ATA if they defy it. #AbLeg
Bill 2 is tabled. MLAs will debate it tonight with the aim of passing it tonight. We’ll be watching. #AbLeg #AbEd
Alberta to invoke notwithstanding clause to send striking teachers back to work | CBC News
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government introduced a bill on Monday to force striking teachers back to work as early as Wednesday.
www.cbc.ca
October 28, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Update from Elections Edmonton:
"Voting has been suspended at St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School in Ward Anirniq due to a power outage. EPCOR is accessing the situation.
Voters assigned to St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School can cast their ballots at Caernarvon School, 14820 118 St NW."
"Voting has been suspended at St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School in Ward Anirniq due to a power outage. EPCOR is accessing the situation.
Voters assigned to St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School can cast their ballots at Caernarvon School, 14820 118 St NW."
October 21, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Update from Elections Edmonton:
"Voting has been suspended at St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School in Ward Anirniq due to a power outage. EPCOR is accessing the situation.
Voters assigned to St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School can cast their ballots at Caernarvon School, 14820 118 St NW."
"Voting has been suspended at St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School in Ward Anirniq due to a power outage. EPCOR is accessing the situation.
Voters assigned to St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School can cast their ballots at Caernarvon School, 14820 118 St NW."
Municipal election day crowdsource: what municipality did you vote in today and how long did you wait to vote?
I’m in SE Edmonton and have now waited one hour. The front of the line is close, though ….
Don’t forget to vote for school trustee(s).
Brussels sprouts for attention only. #yegvote
I’m in SE Edmonton and have now waited one hour. The front of the line is close, though ….
Don’t forget to vote for school trustee(s).
Brussels sprouts for attention only. #yegvote
October 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Municipal election day crowdsource: what municipality did you vote in today and how long did you wait to vote?
I’m in SE Edmonton and have now waited one hour. The front of the line is close, though ….
Don’t forget to vote for school trustee(s).
Brussels sprouts for attention only. #yegvote
I’m in SE Edmonton and have now waited one hour. The front of the line is close, though ….
Don’t forget to vote for school trustee(s).
Brussels sprouts for attention only. #yegvote
The ATA refused to engage in talks where pupil-teacher ratios were off the table. And the premier said to expect back-to-work legislation if there's no deal by the last week of October.
What would such legislation mean for teachers and classroom conditions? #AbLeg #AbEd
What would such legislation mean for teachers and classroom conditions? #AbLeg #AbEd
Striking Alberta teachers refuse to engage in talks that exclude pupil-teacher ratio | CBC News
The association representing 51,000 Alberta teachers who have been off the job since Oct. 6 says employers asked them to return to classrooms voluntarily and attend talks where class-size caps and pup...
www.cbc.ca
October 17, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Update: The ATA says they received a letter yesterday asking teachers to return to classrooms on Oct. 20 and engage in "enhanced mediation" -- but that any talk of a student-teacher ratio would be off the table in such talks.
ATA president Jason Schilling says the association said no.
#AbLeg #AbEd
ATA president Jason Schilling says the association said no.
#AbLeg #AbEd
Alberta teachers' strike, day 12 (day 9 of cancelled classes):
2 press conferences, short notice.
Alberta Teachers' Association is up at 11 a.m. in Edmonton.
Premier Danielle Smith and Ed. Minister Demetrios Nicolaides are up in Calgary at 1:30 p.m. to "provide an update on teacher bargaining."
2 press conferences, short notice.
Alberta Teachers' Association is up at 11 a.m. in Edmonton.
Premier Danielle Smith and Ed. Minister Demetrios Nicolaides are up in Calgary at 1:30 p.m. to "provide an update on teacher bargaining."
October 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Alberta teachers' strike, day 12 (day 9 of cancelled classes):
2 press conferences, short notice.
Alberta Teachers' Association is up at 11 a.m. in Edmonton.
Premier Danielle Smith and Ed. Minister Demetrios Nicolaides are up in Calgary at 1:30 p.m. to "provide an update on teacher bargaining."
2 press conferences, short notice.
Alberta Teachers' Association is up at 11 a.m. in Edmonton.
Premier Danielle Smith and Ed. Minister Demetrios Nicolaides are up in Calgary at 1:30 p.m. to "provide an update on teacher bargaining."
October 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Alberta teachers' strike, day 12 (day 9 of cancelled classes):
2 press conferences, short notice.
Alberta Teachers' Association is up at 11 a.m. in Edmonton.
Premier Danielle Smith and Ed. Minister Demetrios Nicolaides are up in Calgary at 1:30 p.m. to "provide an update on teacher bargaining."
2 press conferences, short notice.
Alberta Teachers' Association is up at 11 a.m. in Edmonton.
Premier Danielle Smith and Ed. Minister Demetrios Nicolaides are up in Calgary at 1:30 p.m. to "provide an update on teacher bargaining."
Alberta teachers strike/lockout, Day 11 (day 8 of no classes):
Premier Danielle Smith floats the idea of striking another commission on learning, like the 2003 effort that came out of a previous teachers’ strike.
ATA: uh, no thanks #AbLeg #AbEd
www.stalbertgazette.com/politics/alb...
Premier Danielle Smith floats the idea of striking another commission on learning, like the 2003 effort that came out of a previous teachers’ strike.
ATA: uh, no thanks #AbLeg #AbEd
www.stalbertgazette.com/politics/alb...
Alberta Premier Smith wants education commission after teachers strike
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday, as thousands of striking teachers and their supporters chanted and shouted nearby, that she wants to form a commission on education when the pr...
www.stalbertgazette.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Alberta teachers strike/lockout, Day 11 (day 8 of no classes):
Premier Danielle Smith floats the idea of striking another commission on learning, like the 2003 effort that came out of a previous teachers’ strike.
ATA: uh, no thanks #AbLeg #AbEd
www.stalbertgazette.com/politics/alb...
Premier Danielle Smith floats the idea of striking another commission on learning, like the 2003 effort that came out of a previous teachers’ strike.
ATA: uh, no thanks #AbLeg #AbEd
www.stalbertgazette.com/politics/alb...
#YegFunicularStatus All running smoothly right now
October 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
#YegFunicularStatus All running smoothly right now
Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner says the ATA's latest proposal to employers included class-size caps and would cost $2 billion more than the province is willing to spend over 4 years. He asked teachers for an offer more "rooted in reality." #AbLeg #AbEd
Back to work legislation possible if Alberta teacher strike continues when assembly returns: minister | CBC News
Alberta's finance minister says the province will consider back-to-work legislation if teachers are still off the job when the legislature returns later this month.
www.cbc.ca
October 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
This is the first publicly released polling on Alberta education issues from a professional pollster in a while, and the results are super interesting.
ARI poll suggests contract dispute support for teachers: 58%
Support for AB govt: 21 %
Neither: 18 % #AbLeg #AbEd
ARI poll suggests contract dispute support for teachers: 58%
Support for AB govt: 21 %
Neither: 18 % #AbLeg #AbEd
New poll suggests bulk of public back Alberta teachers in contract dispute | CBC News
A new Angus Reid Institute poll suggests locked-out teachers have more public support than the Alberta government as a contract dispute cancels classes for a second week.
www.cbc.ca
October 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Meanwhile, the city page about the funicular's status is full of dating app-level mixed messages www.edmonton.ca/activities_p... #YEGFunicularStatus
October 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Meanwhile, the city page about the funicular's status is full of dating app-level mixed messages www.edmonton.ca/activities_p... #YEGFunicularStatus