High school football players sidelined by the Alberta teachers' strike are receiving support from the CFL’s Edmonton Elks. The strike, now entering its third day, has caused numerous school sports seasons—including football, flag football, volleyball, and soccer—to be put on hold indefinitely.
Ryan Brower, community coordinator of amateur football with the Elks, said the team wanted to ensure local players still had opportunities to practice. The 125 available slots for the camp were filled within hours, with another 90 students placed on a waiting list for six practice days scheduled throughout the month.
“It just goes to show the passion people have,” Brower said. “Kids want to keep developing.”
The camp, supported by the province’s umbrella organization Football Alberta, will allow student athletes to learn from professional players, including two-time CFL all-star receiver Steven Dunbar Jr. Brower added, “Our community is better off when this organization is out and serving people.”
Tim Enger, director of Football Alberta, reported that most high school leagues have canceled games this week in response to the strike. Notably, a highly anticipated match between Calgary’s Notre Dame and St. Francis high schools—set to take place at McMahon Stadium—was canceled. Enger said the event typically attracts the largest turnout for a high school football game in the country.
The strike affects roughly 740,000 students across 2,500 public, separate, and francophone schools, all of which closed Monday. It began after teachers rejected the government’s latest offer, which included a 12% wage increase over four years, the hiring of 3,000 additional teachers to reduce overcrowding, and funding for COVID-19 vaccination costs.
Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling argued that the proposed pay increase does not compensate for years of stagnant salaries, and the hiring plan is insufficient to resolve overcrowded classrooms. Premier Danielle Smith defended the government’s proposal, describing it as fair and responsive to teachers’ concerns. Starting Thursday, teachers will be locked out of schools, a government measure intended to prevent changes in strike tactics and provide predictability.
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