Labour leaders meet to explore options after Alberta orders teachers back to work

National and regional labour leaders are meeting on Tuesday to discuss what action they plan to take after the Alberta government forced striking teachers back to work, invoking the notwithstanding clause of the Charter to shield its legislation from legal challenges.

Premier Danielle Smith’s government passed the Back to School Act early Tuesday morning after introducing the bill late Monday afternoon and cutting short the time for debate. Ms. Smith was not present for the vote or most of the evening sitting because of a scheduled trip to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to promote the province’s energy industry.