University denies AASUA permission to petition on campus
The Association of Academic Staff at the U of A has filed for a judicial review of the university's decision to deny the group permission to petition on campus.
Lochlann KerrOn November 25, 2025, the U of A denied the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA) permission to have petition tables on campus to obtain signatures in support of rescinding the Back to School Act. AASUA is challenging the U of A’s decision, and has filed a judicial review application in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.
A judicial review is meant to ensure that administrative bodies make fair and reasonable decisions.
The Back to School Act ended the 2025 Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) strike and required teachers to resume their duties. It also prohibited further strikes and lockouts.
The Gateway reached out to AASUA and received comment from President Gordon Swaters.
“We are disappointed in the Employer’s decision to deny AASUA collecting signatures on campus for its petition to rescind the Back to School Act, and AASUA has filed for Judicial Review of the Employer’s decision in the Courts,” Swaters said.
The Gateway also reached out to the U of A, but they refused to comment on the situation because the matter is before the courts.
