Recently, I had a productive meeting with Chief Keith Blake, Chief of Police for the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service. Chief Blake is dedicated to community-first policing and advocating for Indigenous-led approaches. We discussed strengthening community safety initiatives with Federal Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree. I am looking forward to collaborating on initiatives that prioritize community well-being and respectful policing.
Teachers are vital to the success of Alberta’s education system. Over the next three years, school boards will be provided with funding to hire 3,000 teachers and 1,500 new education assistants. These funds can be allocated to additional student support through assessments for complex needs and other classroom supports.
Across Alberta, teachers are seeing more students with diverse learning needs and behavioural challenges, while incidents of classroom aggression are rising. To address these challenges and in response to concerns raised by teachers, Alberta’s government will be appointing a Class Size and Complexity Task Force.
Beginning in November, Alberta’s government will work with school boards to gather information and data about class sizes and composition to ensure students are receiving the support they need. Information will be released as soon as it is available and annually thereafter.
The Alberta government recently formed the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team to identify practical classroom focused solutions. Alberta’s government has received the action team’s draft final report. Its recommendations will help to create a roadmap for safer classrooms. The final report will be released. The task force will implement solutions, work with school boards to gather more data on classroom complexity and begin work to replace the 2004 Standards for Special Education.
May the spirit of Christmas fill your lives with love, hope, positivity, and joy! I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2026!
MLA – Calgary West Mike Ellis proudly serves the following Communities: Aspen Estates, Aspen Woods, Christie Park, Discovery Ridge, Signal Hill, Springbank Hill, Strathcona
