Graduate Students’ Association Condemns the Use of the Notwithstanding Clause in Bill 2 

On October 27, 2025, the Government of Alberta passed Bill 2 – the Back-to-School Act, setting a deeply concerning precedent for labour rights and democratic governance in the province. In addition to circumventing the conventional legislative process, this bill invokes the notwithstanding clause, thereby allowing the government to override protections guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

Most notably, Bill 2 compels members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) into a collective agreement that they had democratically rejected. The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) of the University of Calgary regards this action as a violation of fundamental democratic principles and a direct assault on the right to free and fair collective bargaining. 

As the certified bargaining agent for all graduate students at the University of Calgary, and as an organization that includes both current and future ATA members, the GSA strongly denounces Bill 2. The right of workers to negotiate and ratify their own collective agreements is a cornerstone of Canadian labour relations and the rule of law. Eroding this right not only undermines the integrity of Alberta’s labour framework but also damages the province’s national and international reputation as a fair and democratic society. 

The invocation of the notwithstanding clause during an active bargaining process establishes an alarming and dangerous precedent, signaling that constitutional rights can be suspended at will. In an era of heightened polarization, the GSA calls upon the Government of Alberta to reconsider its position, respect democratic due process, and restore public confidence in both the public and private sectors. 

Labour organizations across Alberta—including those representing workers within post-secondary institutions—are now mobilizing through a coalition known as the Common Front Solidarity Pact to defend the right to collective bargaining. The GSA has received inquiries from members expressing interest in joining or supporting this collective action 

We invite all graduate students to share their perspectives as we determine our next steps. 
Please complete this brief survey by the end of the day tomorrow to help guide our response and ensure your voices are heard.