Alberta puts book removal policy on temporary hold

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More than 60% of you told us you expect Alberta’s teachers to strike — and many of you had strong words about why. “Teachers need more — more money, more respect, more teachers, more schools, more prep time. The government needs to pony up,” wrote one reader. Others said a strike may be necessary to show the province they’re serious, even if a compromise eventually follows.

Several of you highlighted the workload behind the scenes: long hours spent planning lessons, marking assignments, and managing classrooms. One reader who volunteered in schools put it bluntly: “We are looking at a 50- to 60-hour work week at a minimum.” Another added, “They get so little for putting up with the kids and young adults of today’s generation. I wouldn’t want to be a teacher.”

More school-related news below.

👀 In today's edition:

• Studio Bell honours Lisa Brokop, Joe Wood

• Calgary housing market cools

• Calgary officer under investigation

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QUICK POLL

Alberta puts book removal policy on temporary hold

Alberta schools received a brief reprieve this week when the province paused its controversial order requiring them to remove books with explicit sexual content from library shelves. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides had given schools until October 1st to comply with the July directive, but when Edmonton Public Schools released their list of over 200 books slated for removal - including classic works like "The Handmaid's Tale," "Brave New World," and "The Color Purple" - the policy faced widespread criticism from authors, educators, and free speech advocates.

Premier Danielle Smith quickly responded by accusing Edmonton Public Schools of "vicious compliance," suggesting they had deliberately included well-known literary classics to make the government look bad. Smith insisted the policy was meant to target books with graphic pornographic images, not established literature, and promised a rewritten order that would leave the classics alone while being more specific about what should actually be removed. The controversy caught international attention when Margaret Atwood, author of "The Handmaid's Tale," responded with satirical social media posts mocking the ban and urging people to read her book before potential "public book burnings."

Despite the temporary pause, Calgary Board of Education officials confirmed they are still preparing to comply with provincial requirements by the October deadline. School boards across Alberta had been reviewing their collections over the summer, with some divisions assessing hundreds of thousands of titles. Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the government for focusing on book policies while teachers face potential strike action and classrooms remain overcrowded, calling the original order poorly thought out. The pause has provided some relief to educators and librarians who had expressed concerns about the policy's broad scope, though uncertainty remains about what the revised directive will contain.

Need to know

🗳️ A CBC analysis explored how Albertans define their identity, finding residents commonly describe themselves as entrepreneurial and neighbourly while remaining split on attachment between Alberta and Canada amid ongoing separation debates.

🔍 The province's police oversight body continues investigating a Calgary officer who shot a suspect in the leg after the man held a knife to his throat and resisted attempts to subdue him using non-lethal methods.

⚖️ Birchcliff Energy received 18 workplace safety charges following a contractor's drowning death in October 2023 at a northern Alberta fracking pond, with investigators alleging the worker lacked proper safety equipment and emergency communication systems.

🏥 Three new health organizations became operational September 1st - Cancer Care Alberta, Give Life Alberta, and an emergency services corporation - representing Alberta's shift toward specialized healthcare delivery separate from centralized management.

🚗 A 59-year-old Calgary driver was charged with 19 offences after his Ford F250 crossed the Trans-Canada Highway median near Canmore and struck three oncoming vehicles, injuring 10 people with four in serious condition during the Labour Day weekend collision.

🌫️ Calgary received air quality warnings as wildfire smoke from the Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan created hazardous conditions, with pollution reaching maximum levels before improving by mid-morning.

🏘️ Calgary's housing market saw sales drop 8.8 percent in August while inventory surged 48.2 percent, pushing the benchmark home price down 4.1 percent to $577,200 as increased supply shifted market dynamics away from sellers despite continued strong buyer demand.

💥 Police charged Christine Teschl with criminal negligence after mislabeled hazardous materials including picric acid required emergency detonations when discovered at a Calgary industrial site, endangering public safety and first responders.

🏊 Calgary Fire Department paused its diving rescue program for equipment and training upgrades, relying on volunteer teams for recent water emergencies while maintaining surface rescue capabilities until the program resumes in 2026.

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New exhibition at Studio Bell honours Lisa Brokop and Joe Wood

Calgary’s Studio Bell will soon shine a spotlight on two new Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. On September 10, the National Music Centre (NMC) and Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) will open an updated exhibition honouring B.C.-born singer-songwriter Lisa Brokop and longtime industry champion Joe Wood. The launch coincides with Country Music Week, taking place the same week in Kelowna.

Brokop’s 35-year career includes Gold records, 10 studio albums, and songs written for stars like Reba McEntire and Terri Clark. The exhibition features personal milestones such as her first handwritten lyrics and the wedding dress she wore on the cover of The Patsy Cline Project. “Being welcomed into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame has been the greatest honour of my career,” Brokop said in a statement.

Wood, recognized in the Stan Klees Builder category, has spent nearly five decades advancing independent Canadian country music. From co-founding RDR Music Group to helping deliver more than 10,000 songs to radio, his work has supported artists ranging from Gord Bamford to Garth Brooks. His story joins a collection of more than 2,000 artifacts preserved at Studio Bell, which serves as the permanent home of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in Calgary.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Marko's Kitchen: Experience the warmth of family dining at this neighbourhood restaurant where fresh, wholesome, and homemade dishes take centre stage in an intimate setting that celebrates the simple pleasure of sharing good food with loved ones.

🍴 Saltlik: Savour iconic steaks and elevated cuisine at this upscale yet relaxed steakhouse where exceptional service meets exquisite flavors, complemented by sommelier-selected wines and handcrafted cocktails in a spacious, sophisticated atmosphere.

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Things to do

🎟️ Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society Exhibition: Discover exceptional woodcraft and artistic mastery at this free biennial showcase at Southcentre Mall featuring 54 juried pieces from 27 local artisans, celebrating over four decades of woodworking tradition and community craftsmanship.

🎟️ Springbank Old Tyme Fall Fair: Experience authentic rural charm at this free annual community celebration featuring a vendor market, agriculture and horticulture show, creative contests like "Potato Head" displays, and awards ceremonies that bring together families for a day of traditional fair fun.

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