Edmonton Public Colleges employed 11 lecturers final summer time to assist the varsity division evaluation and determine sexually specific books that the Alberta authorities wished off the cabinets, in line with paperwork newly obtained by CBC Information.
The lecturers had been employed so the varsity division may adjust to a ministerial order issued in July from Alberta Schooling to take away sexually specific materials from college library cabinets.
An internally distributed listing of books, which CBC Information obtained in late August, included titles corresponding to The Handmaid’s Story and Courageous New World. The listing got here beneath hearth from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who accused the varsity division of “vicious compliance.”
That order was up to date in September to prohibit works containing specific photos of sexual acts.
Now, paperwork obtained by CBC Information from Edmonton Public Colleges by an Entry to Info request present actions taken by the varsity division to adjust to the ministerial order.
The 329 pages of data reveal that 11 lecturers had been employed to evaluation books in a undertaking that began July 28 and wrapped Aug. 22. Not all lecturers labored the whole four-week time period.
The varsity division declined an on-camera interview request.
In response to questions from CBC Information, Edmonton Public Colleges’ spokesperson Kim Smith mentioned in an e-mail that the summer time undertaking value the varsity division $43,000.
Summer time work
The 11 lecturers had been from quite a lot of faculties within the division, the data state. A job description outlined they need to have a background in English, comparative literature, library and knowledge science or one thing comparable.
A presentation concerning the undertaking mentioned the books chosen for evaluation included: titles that had been more likely to comprise romantic relationships and/or sexual content material that had been written for teenagers/younger adults and adults; essentially the most borrowed titles at junior excessive faculties and excessive faculties; and books that acquired the Younger Reader’s Selection Award.
The paperwork additional outlined that 500 books had been to be reviewed by the lecturers, with every evaluation to incorporate particulars on why the ebook was added to the varsity library, whether or not the title had been beforehand challenged, and excerpts if it contained sexual content material.
A written justification referencing the factors within the ministerial order was additionally required for every title.
A minimal of three lecturers had been wanted to return to a consensus about how a ebook must be categorised — non-sexual content material, specific content material or non-explicit sexual content material. The paperwork famous that selections sometimes concerned between seven and 11 lecturers.
The urgency to finish the duty earlier than a provincially imposed deadline was obvious.
In an e-mail dated July 16, 2025, a supervisor harassed the impetus to get the work carried out.
“We’re going through extraordinarily tight timelines, with a deadline of Oct. 1, 2025 and a necessity to finish important work earlier than faculties resume…. This work is now our high precedence,” the e-mail reads.
Smith mentioned an analogous technique of reviewing every ebook title was used to adjust to the up to date ministerial order.
“A smaller group of educators, about three academic employees who work within the central workplace, reviewed books to adjust to the brand new provincial requirements. Employees didn’t monitor the variety of hours required and the work will likely be ongoing,” Smith mentioned in an e-mail.
Controversy over first listing of books
The controversy across the preliminary listing of books, which included pointed feedback from acclaimed Canadian creator Margaret Atwood, in the end led to a pause on the unique ministerial order. It was revised within the fall with a scope to take away books containing photos of sexual acts.
Books with written descriptions of sexual acts are allowed to remain in faculties.
The deadline for compliance was Jan. 5.
Since then, some college divisions have acknowledged what number of books they eliminated however refused requests to determine the titles. EPSB has beforehand mentioned it had a working listing of 34 books to take away.
When requested what occurs to books which have been eliminated, Smith mentioned that the division has not disposed of any books and mentioned faculties could have other ways of storing them, corresponding to in a storage room.
CBC Information requested Alberta Schooling Minister Demetrios Nicolaides whether or not the newly launched paperwork affected his help of the premier’s “vicious compliance” feedback and whether or not he was comfy with the prices incurred by the varsity division.
Nicolaides was not accessible for an interview however in a press release mentioned he had been advised by a board member that synthetic intelligence was used to create a brief listing.
“It looks like they’re having a tough time getting it proper,” Nicolaides mentioned within the assertion.
“We’ve got been completely clear from the beginning: this coverage is about defending youngsters from specific photos of kid molestation, intercourse toy use, penetration, masturbation and different age-inappropriate photos. Nothing extra.”
The schooling minister additional mentioned it’s as much as college boards to resolve what to do with books as soon as they’re faraway from cabinets.
