Attn: Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides,

We are writing today to express concern over Ministerial Order #030/2025 and urge you to reverse the decision to impose new restrictions on library materials in the Alberta School system. We ask that the government refrains from any further sweeping legislation that allows for the removal of these materials.  

We are concerned about American-style book bans and the increasing escalation of censorship, which is antithetical to our democracy. The results of your provincial survey were clear that the citizens of Alberta are opposed to the government dictating what materials can be accessed in school. Those decisions should be left to parents and students, as well as the librarians and educators with professional training in literature and youth development.

Rather than pushing through vague and overreaching orders that have been influenced by special interest groups, we ask that you instead engage in meaningful consultation with educators, librarians, parents, and students. It is well documented that students thrive when they are able to access inclusive materials that reflect the diverse experiences of themselves and their families, as well as learn about experiences different from their own.

In 1991, Canada signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states, “The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.” This order stands to violate these rights and freedoms if implemented.

Alberta has been a long-standing champion of individual freedom and choice. Following through with this heavy-handed mandate and censorship will only serve to erode these values.

Reverse Ministerial Order #030/2025 now.

Sincerely,

CAIABB & Canadians concerned about censorship

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It's also helpful to email government officials directly, here's who to write to:

Demetrios Nicolaides - Minister of Education
demetrios.nicolaides@gov.ab.ca
education.minister@gov.ab.ca

CC:

Danielle Smith - Alberta Premier
danielle.smith@gov.ab.ca
premier@gov.ab.ca

Naheed Nenshi - Leader of the Opposition
edmonton.strathcona@assembly.ab.ca

Amanda Chapman - NDP Shadow Education Minister
calgary.beddington@assembly.ab.ca

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Update: As of Sept 2, 2025, the Alberta government has paused the order while they rewrite it, let’s keep the pressure on and let them know you don’t support overreaching book bans!

Alberta premier says new order banning school library books with sexual content coming soon

Alberta Teachers Association statement

Canadian School Libraries statement