The Alberta government is hitting pause on its order for the removal of books with explicit sexual content from libraries.
The policy from Alberta’s education minister outlining new rules governing books in school libraries was set to come into effect Oct. 1. The change is outlined in an email from the minister sent to school boards on Tuesday.
“Until further notice, please pause all implementation efforts outlined in Ministerial Order (#30/2025), including removing materials containing depictions of explicit sexual content from school libraries,” reads the email sent on behalf of Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides. “At this time, I ask that school authorities also pause the development and distribution of lists of school library materials.”
The email concludes by stating more information will be provided as soon as possible.
An internally distributed list obtained by CBC News showed more than 200 books deemed sexually explicit were slated for removal from Edmonton Public Schools library shelves for students in kindergarten to Grade 12.
The list, which included titles like The Handmaid’s Tale, Brave New World and Jaws attracted the attention of Canadian author Margaret Atwood.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith slammed the Edmonton school board for its list on Friday stating, “Edmonton public is clearly doing a little vicious compliance over what the direction is.”
Nicolaides announced in the spring that new rules would be coming to school libraries, after parents raised concerns to the government about four coming-of-age graphic novels found in circulation in Edmonton and Calgary public schools.
The minister signed a ministerial order, dated July 4, laying out the standards for school library materials and included definitions.
