Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is defending her government’s move to quickly pass back-to-work legislation invoking the notwithstanding clause, saying democracy is when elected officials make decisions — not the courts.

The government passed the law last week to end a three-week teachers strike, saying the growing toll on more than 740,000 students demanded action.

Smith says elected officials were doing their jobs and, if they got it wrong, they’ll “hear about it in the polls.”

The premier also says she’s serious about addressing long-standing concerns that were thrust to the forefront by the 51,000 striking teachers.

Smith has announced the makeup of a cabinet committee, which she will chair, to address classroom sizes and complexity.

She says she hopes teachers see the committee as a show of good faith on the part of the government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2025.

Lisa Johnson and Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press