In the wake of the Alberta teachers strike, Leger surveyed Albertans between October 31 and November 2 to assess how the public views the government’s handling of the dispute, the use of emergency legislation, and the outlook for labour relations in the province.
The data shows strong awareness, a public divided on the government’s actions, and growing support for teachers and broader labour action.
Some Key Highlights
Albertans Still Closely Following the Alberta Teachers’ Strike
Even after teachers were legislated back to work, 74% of Albertans say they’ve been following the Alberta teachers strike closely.
This high level of engagement shows that, even after the government legislated teachers back to work, the issue continues to dominate the public conversation. The strike has become more than an education story; it’s a political flashpoint that continues to hold Alberta’s attention.
Public Split on Back-to-Work Legislation
Albertans remain divided on the provincial government’s decision to legislate teachers back to work, with 39% supporting the move and 47% opposing it.
The split shows how contentious the government’s handling of the strike has become, revealing broader
tension in Alberta over how best to balance public-sector labour rights with the need to maintain essential public services.
Use of the Notwithstanding Clause Draws Criticism
Half of Albertans (50%) believe the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to end the strike was inappropriate, while 33% say it was appropriate. The remaining respondents are unsure or did not express an opinion.
The notwithstanding clause is used infrequently in Canada, and when used, typically generates significant negative media and public commentary. These results appear to reflect that sentiment.
Teachers Seen as Handling Situation More Effectively
When asked who has handled the situation better, more Albertans say the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has done a better job than the provincial government.
This view is consistent with earlier findings showing teachers maintain stronger public credibility through the dispute.
Fewer respondents believe the government has managed the situation well, however, noteworthy is the percentage saying the government did a better job increased somewhat (+11 points) from Leger’s last poll before the back to work order.
Methodology
This web survey was conducted from October 31 to November, 2025, with 1,002 Albertans aged 18 or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison, a probability sample of 1,002 respondents would have a margin of error of ±3.1%, 19 times out of 20, for the total Alberta sample.
