Author Margaret Atwood headlines sold-out public education forum in Calgary

Legendary Canadian author Margaret Atwood is in Calgary Tuesday for a sold-out forum hosted by the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

A novelist, poet, and literary critic, the 84-year-old is best-known for her 1985 book, The Handmaid’s Tale.

The event, first announced in August, is being put on by the ATA and the Calgary public and Catholic teachers’ unions.

It promises a captivating discussion worthy of the event’s title, Democracy, Public Education, and the Common Good.

ATA president Jason Schilling says Atwood’s talk is happening at an important time.

“We know that public education is in crisis right now in Alberta, as it is in Canada and the United States,” he said. ” I’m interested to see how Ms. Atwood will weave a tale, as she’s good at writing and is an author, about how she she’s democracy and public education working in tandem and things that might be threats to both.”

A recent survey found many Calgary teachers are stressed out; 36 per cent say they are struggling to find a balance between their life and their work, and 64 per cent are noticing the pressure from work are having a negative impact at home.

Premier Danielle Smith has acknowledged problems with the province’s education system, particularly as it relates to classroom capacity.

In September, she announced a plan to increase the capital funding to the School Construction Accelerator Program to $8.6 billion by 2026-27. More money has also been allotted for modular classrooms and operational costs.

Both the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District have said they have seen record enrolment this year.

Atwood will take the stage at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. However, tickets are sold out.