Alberta Releases Updated School Standards on Sexual Content, Focusing on Explicit Imagery

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stands withMinister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides following a swearing-in ceremony in Calgary, Alta., on May 16, 2025. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

The government of Alberta has released updated guidelines for the selection of books in school libraries, saying the new standards will keep materials with visual depictions of sexual acts out of children’s hands while ensuring that classic literary books remain on the shelves.

The province made the announcement on Sept. 8, almost a week after it paused the implementation of guidelines it had announced in July, citing the need to revise them after Edmonton Public Schools released a book removal list the province said didn’t reflect the policy’s intended purpose.