Alberta school divisions have removed at least 160 titles from school libraries after a provincial directive ordered educators to eliminate materials containing explicit depictions of sexual acts.
Records obtained through access-to-information requests show that many of the books removed were graphic novels, including illustrated adaptations of well-known literary works, memoirs, mythology retellings, poetry collections, and art-related publications.
Among the titles taken off shelves were graphic novel versions of The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984—two dystopian classics that explore themes of authoritarian government and societal control.
The directive was issued last fall by Alberta’s education minister, who instructed schools to review their library and classroom collections and remove any materials that include explicit sexual imagery from student access.
While many school divisions initially declined to publicly disclose which books were removed, data obtained by CBC News and researchers from the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University indicates that at least 166 titles have been pulled from school shelves so far.
A spokesperson for Alberta’s Education Ministry said the order was intended to protect children from graphic content.
Critics, however, say the measure amounts to broad censorship. James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression, argued that the policy assumes teenagers cannot handle mature topics and ignores the reality that young people already encounter similar material online.
“It’s a very puritanical way of dealing with young people,” Turk said, adding that literature can help students better understand complex issues.
School boards across the province responded differently to the directive. Lists released by Edmonton Public Schools, Edmonton Catholic Schools, Rocky View Schools, and the Calgary Board of Education show overlapping but not identical removals, with some divisions removing titles that others kept available.
In contrast, Calgary Catholic School District said it did not remove any materials from its libraries.
Many of the removed titles were graphic novels, including manga and illustrated series tied to popular films and television shows such as The Walking Dead, Firefly, and V for Vendetta.
Other works removed included books by Canadian poet Rupi Kaur, illustrated guides to art and cartooning, memoirs about gender identity, and a graphic retelling of the Bible’s Book of Genesis.
Some titles removed also came from the graphic novel series Age of Bronze, which explores the Trojan War. The series’ creator, cartoonist Eric Shanower, said he was surprised to learn that several volumes had been removed from Alberta schools, arguing that the books contain only implied—not explicit—references to sex.
Free expression advocates say the sweeping order marks one of the largest book challenges in Canada’s history. Ira Wells, president of PEN Canada, criticized the policy for evaluating isolated images rather than considering the context and purpose of the works.
Student critics have also voiced concern. Josephine Trigg, a 17-year-old Calgary student, said limiting access to literature prevents students from engaging with meaningful topics and undermines educational freedom.
Supporters of the policy disagree. The advocacy group Parents for Choice in Education said the removals address concerns about inappropriate material being accessible to minors in school libraries.
Provincial officials maintain the directive is not censorship but a measure designed to keep explicit sexual imagery out of school collections.
The debate continues as Alberta’s government considers expanding similar restrictions to municipal libraries that serve both school and community users.
