Becky Poirier for Medicine Hat SD76 Trustee

I had wanted to write this letter to my local MLA sooner, but I'm hoping that my letter along with others will help our government to make the right choice.

Mr. Justin Wright,
I am writing to you with a heartfelt plea that I hope you will take seriously. I’m asking you to consider the devastating repercussions of mandating teachers to return to school without a proper, fair negotiation taking place.
I write to you not as a teacher, or anyone who works within the education system, but as a mother — a mother of three children currently enrolled in Medicine Hat SD76. I write as a mother who is exhausted from doing her best to support her youngest child’s learning while maintaining a household and searching for work. As a mom who is tired of listening to her two youngest argue through the day. As a mother of a high school senior who wants nothing more than to enjoy what should be the best year of her academic experience. And as a parent, I am asking you: please vote against sending teachers back to school without a fair agreement.
Why do I ask this of you? Because I am also the mother of a twenty-three-year-old autistic son who graduated in 2021. He has developmental delays and just barely qualifies for assistance. He needed many supports while growing up in school — and, thankfully, he had them.
When he was first placed in a mainstream classroom, it was a nightmare. We received constant calls to pick him up early, and this was even with a one-to-one aide in place. It wasn’t until we agreed to place him in the special needs classroom that he truly began to thrive. I had resisted the idea at first, fearing it would isolate him. But it was the exact opposite.
In that environment, he received the resources and structure he needed, while still being included in activities with his neurotypical peers. He joined regular gym and music classes — both overwhelming for him — but he flourished because of his primary teacher, a woman we still call our angel. She had a gift, a level of understanding and compassion that not all teachers possess. It takes an extraordinary person — one with patience, perseverance, and love — to work with special needs students.
Sadly, over the years, I’ve watched specialized programming disappear from our schools. At the same time, classrooms have become overcrowded, and educational assistants have been cut back — all in the name of “inclusion.” But this version of inclusion is failing everyone. The students who need extra support are struggling to integrate, and teachers are stretched beyond their limits, without the time or training to meet diverse needs in overstimulating environments.
My other children — neurotypical — also struggle to focus in overcrowded, noisy, chaotic classrooms. One of my children had fifty students in a driver’s education class. Fifty. They learned nothing. That class should have set them up for success; instead, it left them frustrated and unprepared.
When my twelve-year-old was in grade six, her class became so chaotic that her teacher went on stress leave for two months. No teacher should ever have to take stress leave simply because their classroom has become unmanageable.
This is what underfunding looks like.
This is what happens when essential programming is stripped away.
And it is our children and teachers who pay the price.
Teachers are not being unreasonable. They have clearly expressed what they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Sending them back to work without truly hearing them is an act of harm — to them, to our students, and to the future of this province.
It is shameful how underfunded public education has become in Alberta. And please — do not say there are no funds. There were funds for government commercials touting minimal promises, for office luxuries, for wasteful spending that does nothing to help families like mine. Three thousand new teachers across the entire province is a drop in the bucket. It won’t solve the problem.
Our teachers are the reasonable ones. It is this government that refuses to listen. The funding exists — it’s simply a matter of priorities. Stop funding private schools that serve the wealthy; let public dollars serve the public good. If any exceptions exist, they should only be for students with disabilities whose needs cannot be met within public programming — and even then, handled case by case.
It takes courage to stand up for what’s right. I am asking you to be that courageous voice.
Because the cost of silence — the cost of inaction — will break our province.
I have called Alberta home for twenty-five years. But I am a Canadian first, and an Albertan second. And I am watching our province crumble under failed leadership. The people are angry — justifiably so. If this government continues to ignore the voices of educators, parents, and unions alike, it will not only lose the next election, but it will unite every frustrated citizen against it.
We need leaders who will stand up, not stand by.
Show us that the people of Medicine Hat made the right choice in electing you.
Please — stand up for what is right.
Sincerely,
Becky Poirier

Send a message to learn more

I appreciate the efforts of all those who voted for me. Given the circumstances, I was aware that the odds were against me. While I am naturally disappointed, I recognize that I have a great deal to offer the school district, even if this was not my time to serve. I am delighted for Megan, who I believe will bring a much-needed parental voice to the table. In four years, I will run again, armed with more experience, knowledge, and community connections.

I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support I've received over the past couple of months. Your thoughtful questions, constructive feedback, and overwhelming encouragement have exceeded my expectations. Thank you, regardless of what the future holds.

If you were unable to attend last nights question and answer session, here is a link to the recording https://youtu.be/dzrjqQ9zXWU

Medicine Hat Public School Trustee Candidate Forum ATA Local No. 1 Medicine Hat hosted the Medicine Hat Public School Trustee Candidate Forum

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to meet my fellow candidates and answer some thoughtful questions that were proposed to our panel. Unfortunately, like my fellow candidates, I ran out of time at the end to finish sharing my final thoughts, so I thought I'd post my prepared thoughts here.

I believe I’d make a strong trustee because I understand the complex challenges facing our schools — from multiple perspectives. I’ve worked directly with schools to support staff and families of children with disabilities, and I’ve seen firsthand the frustration that can arise when parents feel unheard and educators are limited by funding and policy.

The Education Act requires every student to have access to quality education — and it’s the board’s responsibility to make sure that happens. When essential supports are lacking, we need to find solutions, not excuses.

As a social worker, I also bring valuable insight into the mental health challenges our students and teachers face today. We’re seeing rising stress and burnout among teachers, and children struggling under the weight of social pressures. I want to see stronger, evidence-based mental health supports across our schools — ones that truly meet the needs of both students and staff.

My priorities as trustee are simple but vital: improving transparency so our community can see how decisions are made, strengthening how we address bullying so every child feels safe, and supporting the incredible academies and programs that make our district stand out.

As a professional, a parent, and a community member, I’m ready to listen, to advocate, and to ensure our schools continue to be places where every student can thrive.

We invite you to join us in supporting our teachers tomorrow, if your schedule permits. My kids and I are engaged in creating signs to express our gratitude and stand in support of them.

Please share, so more people have the opportunity to learn about who I am and I why I would make a good school trustee for SD76

I love our community. The family friendly and free events are amazing. I've wanted to give back to our community with the skills and education I have learned over the years. That is just one of many reasons I am running for school board trustee of SD76.

My husband Alan and I