ATA Says Teachers Can Sign Recall Petitions

After hearing about teachers being worried about losing their jobs for signing recall petitions or participating, the Owl reached out to the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) for a comment. The following comes from ATA President Jason Schilling.

Statement

Courtesy ATA

By policy, the Alberta Teachers’ Association is officially nonpartisan, which means the organization does not endorse any political party. However, the Association is very active in pursuing its mandate to promote and support public education by advocating for issues that are important to teachers and students. This activity naturally brings the organization into the province’s political arena.

As outlined here: https://teachers.ab.ca/advocacy/political-involvement, the ATA acknowledges that teachers have varied political views and encourages teachers to advocate on issues, including as part of the political process. Teachers are not required to be nonpartisan.

An ATA member who feels they have been punished or penalized for participating in any kind of political activity should contact the ATA’s Teacher Employment Services program area for advice and support.