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BPC Bulletin November 9, 2023

BPC Bulletin: Two Canadian Organizations Issue Statements About Challenges to Books for Young People

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee.


The Ontario Library Association (OLA) and the Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) have expressed concern about attempts to ban children’s books and young-adult books in public schools.

The OLA updated a statement about the Forest of Reading program, book challenges and the right of children to read on November 7, 2023:

Book Challenges – Forest of Reading

Two days later, TWUC released a related statement about the “shadow-banning of LGBTQIA2S+ books” in some Ontario schools:

Memo Suggests Shadow-Banning of LGBTQIA2S+ Books in Some Ontario Schools (mailchi.mp)

Thanks go to Anne McClelland who forwarded both statements.


The Book and Periodical Council was formed in 1975 as the Book and Periodical Development Council to provide a venue for members to discuss industry issues, address mutual concerns and undertake projects for the benefit of Canadian writing and publishing.