The Alberta government will redirect money saved during a potential teachers' strike to payments for parents with younger children in public, Catholic and francophone schools.

Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner announced Tuesday in Calgary that parents and guardians with children age 12 and younger can apply for $150 a week, should Alberta Teachers' Association educators walk off the job on Oct. 6. The first payment will be made on Oct. 31.

"Please know that if the union goes ahead and we do see job action ... that government has plans in place to help students and families," Premier Danielle Smith said at the Tuesday announcement.

"We will not leave you alone in uncertainty."

The ATA announced Monday night that 89.5 per cent of voting members rejected a contract offer, setting the s

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