Alberta teachers' strike could hit businesses, economy if prolonged

'It just makes it really hard to run a business ... this is just another thing that's added on top,' said Keyli Loeppky, a director with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Economists and industry groups warn a prolonged teachers’ strike could hit the provincial economy, as working parents scramble to find care for their children.

Some big Calgary employers are vowing to be flexible where possible, adjusting schedules or allowing staff to work in remote or hybrid settings, but another option for parents is to burn vacation days.

“The ongoing teacher strike is disruptive for everyone, including the local businesses,” said Keyli Loeppky, a director with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Some small businesses are considering reducing their hours, Loeppky said.