Intellectual Freedom

In February 2024, during Canada’s annual Freedom to Read Week, Canadian journalists resumed writing about attempted book bans in public libraries and public school libraries. A few Canadian journalists continued writing about attempted bans in March. Noteworthy reportage and commentary appear below.

BookNet Canada is tracking Canadian interest in banned and challenged books. The organization publishes the data online in a miniseries of posts.

In Manitoba, trustees of the Brandon School Division voted to reject a proposal to create a committee to review and ban books that focus on sexual minorities and sexual health.

In Toronto, Hot Docs at the Ted Rogers Cinema will host six afternoon lectures about banned books and their authors in March and April 2024.

The Centre for Free Expression (CFE) and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations-Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) announce their partnership in a single, joint database of challenges to Canadian library materials, programs, displays, and room rentals. The Library Challenges Database is being hosted by the CFE and resides on its website.