After a partial list of books to be removed from access to Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) students was shared online, the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) said it continues to review over 500,000 book titles.
“The Calgary Board of Education is currently in the process of reviewing more than half a million individual book titles and aligning policies to the new regulations regarding school library materials,” a CBE statement read.
“More information will be shared with staff and families when details are confirmed.”
This follows the July 10 provincial announcement stating that books containing any explicit sexual content must be removed from library shelves by Oct. 1 2025. Schools and School boards are to regularly review book content, among other criteria in the new restrictions.
In a statement, Alberta’s Minister of Education and Childcare, Demetrios Nicolaides, said that children should not be exposed to content like oral sex, sex toy use, or child molestation, but non-explicit sexual content may be accessible to students in Grade 10 and above, provided it is age-appropriate.
“We are aware of a list Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) has created of books being removed from all libraries accessible to students in K-12. The list does not differentiate between students grade 10 and above and other, younger students,” the statement reads.
“We have asked Edmonton Public to clarify why these books were selected to be pulled, and we will work with them to ensure the standards are accurately implemented. We did not provide this list to EPSB.”
Alberta Education will be reviewing the list and working with all school boards to ensure the policy is being implemented appropriately with the intent of ensuring young kids are not exposed to sexually explicit books, according the minister.
In a statement, Amanda Chapman, Alberta’s New Democrat Shadow Minister for Education, said that the UCP government’s focus could not be more misplaced.
“Alberta students are funded at the lowest level in Canada, classrooms are bursting at the seams, kids with complex needs lack the support they deserve, and teachers and families are facing immense uncertainty this school year because of this government’s neglect, “ the statement read.
“The UCP government has chosen to prioritize banning books over preventing a strike. They have ignored teachers’ and parents’ clear and consistent requests for reasonably sized classrooms, supports for kids with special needs, and more funding. Instead, they’ve set their sights on keeping the works of prolific Canadian authors like Margaret Atwood out of the classroom.”
All CBE books can be viewed in their eLibrary.
