National

Alberta government pauses ban on school library books with sex content

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Sep, 2025 12:25 PM

Alberta's education minister is directing school boards to pause a government order to remove books with explicit sexual content from libraries.

Demetrios Nicolaides says in an email to school divisions and officials that they should pause any development or distribution of lists of books that are to be removed.

He says the pause is in effect until further notice.

A draft list from Edmonton Public Schools of books to be removed from libraries was leaked online last week.

It contains more than 200 titles, including Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," which prompted the author to condemn Premier Danielle Smith online over the weekend.

Smith has said the Edmonton school division was too heavy handed in crafting its list and criticized it for not following the government's intention with the policy.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Risk? Navigating the Future of DEI in Canada

As corporate cutbacks and shifting public sentiment create uncertainty, many are asking: Is the momentum behind workplace diversity fading? Experts in workplace diversity and Canadian policy argue that, rather than disappearing, DEI is evolving, and its long-term sustainability will depend on how organizations choose to embed it into their core values.

Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Risk? Navigating the Future of DEI in Canada

How to Avoid Overscheduling Your Child and Why This Is Important

When we look at how to avoid overscheduling our kids, we should take the time to self-reflect. Our kids are not extensions of our hopes and dreams; they are their own people, and by separating their identity from our own, we can give them a chance to be who they want to be as opposed to who we think they should be. Some helpful reminders on how to step away from overscheduling your child:

How to Avoid Overscheduling Your Child and Why This Is Important

Darpan 10: Harjinder Singh Sidhu Chief Constable - Delta Police Department

Meet the first South Asian Chief Constable of the Delta Police Department, Mr. Harjinder Sidhu. Find out more about his new role and his plan to tackle crime South of the Fraser.

Darpan 10: Harjinder Singh Sidhu Chief Constable - Delta Police Department

Woman dies after being found unresponsive on Blackcomb Mountain in B.C.

A woman has died after being found unresponsive on a mountain at a British Columbia ski resort. Police say a person riding the gondola at Whistler Blackcomb spotted the woman on Blackcomb Mountain, and patrollers contacted police at about 10 a.m. on Thursday after locating her.

Woman dies after being found unresponsive on Blackcomb Mountain in B.C.

B.C.'s Kwantlen university to lay off 70 faculty due to $49 million revenue loss

About 70 faculty members at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Metro Vancouver will receive lay-off notices Friday after a "sharp decline" in international students resulted in a revenue loss of about $49 million. Laurie Clancy, vice-president of human resources at the university, says the decision is "sad and unfortunate" because they have a wonderful faculty.

B.C.'s Kwantlen university to lay off 70 faculty due to $49 million revenue loss

Rare unanimous support for B.C. bill on perinatal, postnatal mental health care

The Opposition B.C. Conservatives say the proposal by caucus chair Jody Toor is the first private member’s bill to pass second reading with unanimous support in a recorded vote in 43 years.