5 days ago
Tuesday's letters: Yes, Alberta is banning books in school libraries
Re. 'Setting the record straight on school library book policy,' Opinion, Aug. 9
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In his recent op-ed, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides claims that the Canadian Civil Liberties Association has mischaracterized his government's attempt to ban books from school libraries. Apart from the specious argument that a ministerial order which will see the removal of countless texts should be called anything other than a book ban, Nicolaides claims that the CCLA is dead wrong in asserting that books like The Handmaid's Tale and 1984 will be prohibited.
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As a high school English teacher, I can say that both books — which many would acknowledge should be required reading — contain scenes which violate the criteria of the order. Of course, these scenes are small parts of a whole work and should not be considered out of context, particularly in light of their importance to the works and the significant value of novels such as these. Does Minister Nicolaides truly believe these books do not belong in the hands of high school students? How many other books will fall victim to this ill-advised book ban?
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I'm having a hard time understanding why Epcor is spending big bucks on their Enjoy a Glass of the Sask ads on TV and radio. Except for bottled water, do we have a choice? Trying to persuade the comparatively small number of households who source their drinking water in other ways to switch to regular tap water seems hugely uneconomic in terms of their revenue.
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Personally, I would rather see a reduction in my water bills than watch Epcor commercials over and over again.
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Donna Quick, Spruce Grove
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Wise to vet separation question
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The electoral officer is sending the separatists' referendum question to the courts so we don't waste millions on a referendum that likely won't have a constitutional outcome. Seems like a tiny bit of common sense against this senseless government.
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R.C. Rolf, Edmonton
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An excellent article by Lorne Gunter on the current infill policy. Clearly, common sense has no place in these infill designs, though I am perplexed how the fire code in the city would allow this. How would EMS get into such a space with only 35 inches clearance, or a team of firefighters? Never mind privacy or 'peer/leer' issues, this is just not safe.
