Life

8 Canadian books people have sought to ban in Canada

Over the decades people have sought to ban numerous books by Canadian authors

Over the decades people have sought to ban from libraries numerous books by Canadian authors because they didn’t like what was contained within their pages. Here are some attempts, listed in reverse chronological order, compiled by the freedom of expression committee at the Book and Periodical Council:

1. Contes pour buveurs attardés by Michel Tremblay: In 2010, a mother in Laval, Que., sought to have the book removed from a school reading list because she didn’t want her son exposed to “such promotion of Satanism and pedophilia.” The school board rejected her demand.

2. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: In 2008, a parent in Toronto sought to have the novel taken off a Grade 12 English class because of “profane language,” anti-Christian overtones and “sexual degradation.” A Toronto District School Board review recommended the book be kept.

3. New American and Canadian Poetry edited by John Gill: In 1994, the school board in Sechelt, B.C., removed the book from a high school after a parent complained it offered anti-establishment views and presented sex in a positive light. The board later reversed its decision, but the sole copy was stolen and never replaced.

4. Dance Me Outside by W.P. Kinsella: In 1994, the library at a Barrie, Ont., Roman Catholic school pulled the book after complaints from an Onkwehonwe anti-racism alliance because parts of it “might be objectionable if taken out of context.”

5. The Wars by Timothy Findley: In 1991, a Lambton County, Ont., high school student asked for the novel to be taken off the curriculum, arguing a passage about the rape of a Canadian soldier encouraged students to accept homosexuality. The school board chose to keep the book.

6. Canadian Poetry: The Modern Era edited by John Newlove: In 1987, the book, along with several novels by Margaret Laurence, including The Stone Angel and The Diviners, came under attack from a parents group in Victoria County, Ont. The school board refused to remove the books.

7. Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro: In 1982, Toronto parents sought to have the book removed from the high school curriculum because of the “language and philosophy of
the book” but the school board rejected their demand.

8. The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler: In 1982, in Etobicoke, Ont., the school board was asked to stop teaching the book, but refused.

Have you ever wondered which cities have the most bars, smokers, absentee workers and people searching for love? What about how Canada compares to the world in terms of the size of its military, the size of our houses and the number of cars we own? The nswers to all those questions, and many more, can be found in the first ever Maclean’s Book of Lists, hitting stands in time for Canada Day.

Buy your copy of the Maclean’s Book of Lists at the newsstand or order online now.

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: