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last yr.

Alberta Pauses School Book Order, Plans to Limit Ban to Explicit Images

Edmonton’s 200‑title removal list, including literary classics, prompted a rethink that leaves boards awaiting revised instructions.

The Outlander, Game of Thrones and Fourth Wing series were on the Edmonton Public Schools draft list of books to be removed from libraries.
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith answers a question from the media during the meeting of Canada’s premiers in Huntsville, Ont., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides, speaks to the media during a press conference in the library at Holy Child Catholic Elementary School, in Edmonton Wednesday March 12, 2025. At the press conference Nicolaides announced that over the next three years the province will invest $1.1 billion to hire 4,000 more education staff across the province. The investment is part of the $9.88 billion in Budget 2025 being put towards education. Photo by David Bloom

Overview

  • Premier Danielle Smith called Edmonton Public Schools’ list “vicious compliance” and said the policy will be rewritten to target sexually explicit images, with the initial order paused.
  • Edmonton Public Schools identified more than 200 titles for removal under the July directive, including The Handmaid’s Tale, Nineteen Eighty-Four and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
  • Bookstores in Edmonton and Calgary report a clear sales spike for listed works and the graphic novels originally cited by the province.
  • Library advocates and academics caution that an images-only rule could still lead to broad removals or self-censorship by school staff.
  • The original order set an Oct. 1 deadline without a definitive banned list or added funding, and boards now await revised guidance and timelines.