Sunday, March 22, 2026
ADVT 
National

Revised Alberta school book ban expected to be released today

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Sep, 2025 08:17 AM
  • Revised Alberta school book ban expected to be released today

The Alberta government is set to release its revised school library book ban today.

The government had promised an updated ministerial order Friday, but the announcement was rescheduled.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said in an email after the postponement that officials were taking the time needed to ensure a  revised order was clear for all school boards.

Boards originally had until the end of the month to remove books containing images, illustrations, audio and written passages with sexually explicit content.

Edmonton's public school board issued a list of 200 books that it would have to remove, including Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," prompting widespread criticism and ire from Atwood herself. 

The government directed school boards last Tuesday to pause their work in complying with the initial order.

Premier Danielle Smith said the order would immediately be changed to only target books with images of sexual content, so literary classics could stay on school shelves.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

 

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. forests minister says Trump tariffs could be 'devastating' to sector

B.C. forests minister says Trump tariffs could be 'devastating' to sector
B.C.'s Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says U.S. softwood lumber duties and president-elect Donald Trump's threatened tariffs could be "devastating" to the province's forestry sector. He says the province needs to bring a "team B.C. and a team Canada" approach to fighting the duties.

B.C. forests minister says Trump tariffs could be 'devastating' to sector

Trudeau says he hopes Gaza ceasefire will 'turn down the temperature' in Canada

Trudeau says he hopes Gaza ceasefire will 'turn down the temperature' in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is welcoming news of a ceasefire deal to pause the 15-month war in the Gaza Strip. He says he hopes the deal will "turn down the temperature" on tensions in Canada and rebuild strained relationships between people affected by the war.

Trudeau says he hopes Gaza ceasefire will 'turn down the temperature' in Canada

B.C. farmers challenge government order to cull ostrich herd over avian flu outbreak

B.C. farmers challenge government order to cull ostrich herd over avian flu outbreak
British Columbia ostrich farmers ordered to cull a herd of 400 due to an avian flu outbreak are holding onto hope that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will change its mind before their kill date in just over two weeks.  The federal agency sent Universal Ostrich Farms Inc. a notice on Dec. 31 instructing their ostriches to be destroyed and disposed of by Feb. 1, but the owners are asking for more time to prove their farm should be spared. 

B.C. farmers challenge government order to cull ostrich herd over avian flu outbreak

First half of 5 lane Steveston interchange complete

First half of 5 lane Steveston interchange complete
B-C's Transportation Ministry says the first half of the new five-lane Steveston Interchange is now complete. Kelly Greene, M-L-A for Richmond-Steveston, says this marks a "major step" in improving transportation in the region, adding that once complete, it will improve connections between Highway 99 and the Steveston Highway.

First half of 5 lane Steveston interchange complete

Snowfall warning for Fort Nelson region

Snowfall warning for Fort Nelson region
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Fort Nelson region. It says a Pacific frontal system will bring about 10 centimetres of snow starting this afternoon. The weather office says the snow will persist until tomorrow morning.

Snowfall warning for Fort Nelson region

Trudeau and the premiers meet to discuss a response to Trump's threatened tariffs

Trudeau and the premiers meet to discuss a response to Trump's threatened tariffs
Canada's premiers are set to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet today to talk about U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's vow to impose steep tariffs. Trump has promised to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports — one of several measures he says he'll enact on day one of his presidency through an executive order. He assumes that office on Monday.

Trudeau and the premiers meet to discuss a response to Trump's threatened tariffs