Alberta changing rules to ensure only ‘age-appropriate’ books in schools by fall

EDMONTON — Alberta is bringing in new rules this fall to ensure only “age-appropriate” books are available in school libraries.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said Monday the move was spurred by four graphic coming-of-age novels, most of which depict sexual LGBTQ+ content, found in circulation in Edmonton and Calgary public schools.

Speaking in Calgary, Nicolaides said a group of parents approached him with concerns and government employees were sent to schools to confirm the books were on library shelves.

“These materials contain nudity and graphic explicit depictions of sexual acts and images, including oral sex,” Nicolaides said, adding there was also concern about depictions of molestation, self-harm, drug and alcohol use, and derogatory language.

The novels are written by American authors: “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe, “Fun Home” by Alison Bechdel, “Blankets” by Craig Thompson and “Flamer” by Mike Curato.

Excerpts of the books published by the government to highlight concerns include quotes taken from each and pages of explicit illustrations.

In light of the books and parental concerns, Nicolaides said the government would develop new standards for school officials to determine the appropriateness of library materials. They would apply to public, separate, francophone, charter and independent schools.

The province plans to have the rules in place for the fall.

The government, as a first step, has launched an online survey to gather input from Albertans.

The survey, set to close June 6, features 13 questions, including how sexually explicit books should be handled and if parental consent should be required. It also asks who should determine if a book is age appropriate.

Nicolaides said the government’s concerns are limited to graphic images and depictions of sexual activity. Themes and depictions of graphic violence are “probably not” an issue, he said.

Asked if the new standards would prohibit LGBTQ+ content, Nicolaides said he didn’t think so. “If there was a book on astrophysics that had graphic sexual content, I would have the exact same concerns,” he said.

Nicolaides also said he planned to investigate the processes and procedures that led to the novels being on the shelves in the first place. He also stressed the government isn’t embarking on a widespread book ban, saying it doesn’t have the authority to do so.

Premier Danielle Smith, in a social media post that begins with a content warning, said her government plans to draw a boundary line. “Albertans deserve to know what’s really being shown to children in some of our K-9 schools,” she said.

“Parents are right to be upset.”

Trustees from the Edmonton and Calgary public school divisions said the government’s concerns came as a “complete surprise.”

“Both our divisions follow established, rigorous processes to ensure that library resources are age appropriate and relevant for students,” said the trustees in a joint statement.

They said processes are in place for people to raise concerns about library books.

The divisions said they pulled the novels from shelves while the content is reviewed, but said a lack of communication from the government undermines the working relationship with the education ministry.

Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling told reporters he agreed that library materials need to be age appropriate, but worries the government’s plan will target LGBTQ+ books specifically.

“We are concerned that the selection process that government has initiated has the potential to prioritize special interest groups arriving at their own predetermined agendas and to further target diverse communities,” Schilling said.

“All students in Alberta’s public schools deserve to see themselves represented in the material that they read.”

Jeff Park, executive director of the Alberta Parents Union advocacy group, lauded the announcement. Park encouraged Albertans to take the survey noting that ultimately “one vision of what literature children should be exposed to will triumph over another.”

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents library workers at Edmonton Public Schools, said the government is embarking on “dubious culture wars” to distract from underfunded schools.

“The government should talk to parents, who will tell them book censorship does nothing to solve the real issues students face,” said CUPE Local 3550 president Mandy Lamoureux.

Opposition NDP education critic Amanda Chapman said library materials need to be age appropriate, but the decision shouldn’t be made by government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press