EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has confirmed that her government is delaying the regulations on flags in schools under Bill 25, claiming it wants to ensure the measures hit their intended targets. "What we intend is that we don't want to have flags that are clearly trying to demonstrate some kind of ideology or some kind of political positioning on international conflicts; we don't want those creating discomfort in a classroom," said Smith during her radio show on Saturday. .Smith's comments come after a leak document revealed that the UCP intended to delay regulations stating that, unless otherwise exempt, only the Canadian and Alberta flags can be displayed in schools.The UCP passed the regulations in March as part of legislation they said is intended to remove politics and ideology from Alberta classrooms. According to Smith, the UCP intends to implement the flag regulations in January rather than September to ensure the legislation is aimed in the right direction. "Let's figure out in the meantime what types of flags are being presented and what kind of exemptions we may need to make, because those are the two examples that I just don't want people feeling like they have to take down the sports team flag?" Smith said. "I think that would be counterproductive."Alberta's classroom neutrality regulations have faced ample criticism since their introduction, as the Alberta Teachers' Association said Bill 25 places teachers in an "untenable" position. .A Canadian Press story detailing the UCP's plans to delay the school flag regulations sparked concerns from some individuals who feared that Smith's government are looking to walk back or dilute the regulations. The debate took a turn on Aug. 17 when social media influencer Lawrence Magee, Berta Proud Dad, announced his intentions to launch an independent website where parents can report instances in which teachers are bringing ideology into classrooms. "This website is fully geared to the teachers that have become little activists in our school districts, and they're trying to create little activists in the schools," said Magee in an interview with the Western Standard. "This is a message for them that parents are fed up." Magee said parents have pleaded for him to help hold teachers accountable, and one of his breaking points was a teacher attempting to circumvent regulations against Pride flags in schools by adding an Edmonton Oilers logo and making it a sports flag. .ATA president Jason Schilling opposed the website in a statement released on Wednesday, claiming that there is already a system in place to hold teachers accountable. “School boards and the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission, not online influencers, have the authority and responsibility to deal with matters involving teachers who fail to meet the expectations set out in the Code of Professional Conduct and the Teaching Quality Standard,” wrote Schilling. "That is how accountability works. It is based on evidence, due process and established standards, not on the personal opinions of someone seeking clicks, likes, views and online attention."Smith said she had not heard about Magee's website.
