Supporting students, teachers and families
Dear Neighbour,
As students across Calgary-Beddington head back to school this week, I want to wish every child, parent, teacher, educational assistant and school staff member a safe and successful year ahead.
Back-to-school season is the start of new beginnings. There are new classrooms, new teachers, new friends and new opportunities — along with some nervousness for many students and parents. As a community, it’s essential that we come together to support our students, parents and educators.
That also means recognizing the challenges facing our education system as Alberta continues to grow.
Our UCP government is making significant investments to respond to that growth. At this week's education update in Calgary, Premier Danielle Smith and Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides highlighted record education funding of $10.8 billion for the 2026-27 school year, including school construction, modular classrooms and more classroom supports.
Budget 2026 includes $3.3 billion for new and ongoing school projects, while the broader Schools Now initiative is investing $8.6 billion to create more than 200,000 new and updated student spaces by 2031-32. This includes 156 school projects now underway, 17 new school buildings already delivered, another 19 expected this school year, and $200 million for modular classrooms to create approximately 5,450 additional student spaces in communities facing some of the greatest enrolment pressures.
But it’s not just about buildings. Classroom size and complexity is something I am talking about at the doors every day, and I share these concerns.
This year, Alberta is investing $355 million to address class sizes and classroom complexity, including funding to put more teachers into classrooms. This week's update confirmed that government is funding the hiring of 3,000 new teachers over three years, with 2,127 hired for this school year.
Government has also expanded supports for students with complex needs: 566 classroom complexity teams have already been hired, with funding in place for 699 teams, and an additional $25 million is supporting teacher training and specialized staff in rural and remote communities.
As a former Catholic school board trustee, I know how important it is to listen to families, educators and staff, and to understand the day-to-day realities inside our schools. I want you to know that I understand your concerns and I’m here to listen to you, just as I am here to listen to the people living and working in our education system every day.
As I seek the UCP nomination for Calgary-Beddington, my commitment is to be a compassionate, accessible and hardworking representative who listens first, works collaboratively and always remembers that this is about public service.
To serve you, I need you to buy your $10 UCP membership by clicking on the link below. When the nomination race is called for Calgary-Beddington, I need you to come out and vote.
Please slow down in school zones, watch for children crossing our streets and give school buses the space they need. Wishing each of you an amazing school year!
You can watch this week's education press conference here: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Holds a News Conference.
Sincerely,
Pamela Rath
UCP Nomination Candidate
Calgary-Beddington
