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Like the mythical phoenix, the Education Act rose from its ashes in the spring sitting of the legislature and then burst into flame and crumbled again into dust.
Sponsored by Minister of Education Thomas Lukaszuk, Bill 2, Education Act, died on the Order Paper March 26 when the legislature dissolved in preparation for a provincial general election. Bill 2 was destined to replace the School Act, which currently guides the governance of education in Alberta. In all substantive matters, Bill 2 was identical to Bill 18 of 2011, the draft Education Act that died on the Order Paper when the legislature prorogued earlier this year. Bill 2 had an expanded preamble; modified slightly the responsibilities of parents; contained provisions concerning bullying; and provided for the creation of continuous, rather than permanent, charter schools.
Before the legislature dissolved, Bill 2 passed first and second reading and was debated at length in Committee of the Whole. Three amendments were agreed to. The first, proposed by Lukaszuk, added a clause to the preamble recognizing parents’ role in their children’s education. The second, proposed by Kent Hehr (LIB—Calgary-Buffalo), substituted a new definition of bullying. The third, proposed by Rachel Notley (NDP—Edmonton-Strathcona), restored first right of refusal for school authorities that were willing to provide an alternative program proposed in a charter application.
On March 19, more than 1,000 home-schooling advocates rallied at the legislature to demand that government amend the bill to free them from the constraints of the Alberta Human Rights Act. They suggested that the bill would deny them the opportunity to teach their children in accordance with their values. Lukaszuk disputed the suggestion. “Parents have the paramount responsibility of teaching religion, of teaching morality and of teaching cultural values. That has always been the practice in this province and will always continue to be the practice in this province,” he said in the house that day.
The Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA) expressed concerns about the provisions dealing with shared facilities, the potential blending of public and separate school jurisdictions, and diversity and respect. It argued that, if not amended, the bill would “change the face of Catholic education in Alberta.” Those concerns prompted the cancellation of the legislature’s evening sitting on March 21, ostensibly to facilitate a meeting of government and ACSTA representatives.
The clock ran out in the end. The ATA also issued a media release outlining support for the bill, on the condition that provisions related to charter schools were respected. The ATA’s release was not in response to ACSTA’s concerns and the ATA does not have policy relating to shared facilities or blended boards. Lukaszuk introduced an amendment that, among other things, would have allayed the ACSTA’s concerns about shared facilities and the potential blending of public and separate school jurisdictions. A debate on the amendment ensued, and the legislature was forced to adjourn before Committee of the Whole had concluded its business. When the election writ was dropped on March 26, Bill 2 died on the Order Paper.
