The Canmore Public Library has joined a province-wide effort to oppose new provincial legislation that would change how libraries manage their collections and user access. On April 15, 2026, the local library formally announced its opposition to Bill 28, the Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, as part of the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries.
Introduced by the provincial government on April 2, 2026, the bill proposes new rules that would require public libraries to physically separate certain materials, such as placing them behind a counter. Additionally, the legislation would mandate parental approval for children aged 15 and under to borrow items that contain explicit visual depictions of sexual acts. Library officials state that the government has not provided any new funding to support these changes, which they argue would create practical challenges and increased costs for smaller branches.
The coalition, which represents 324 library service points across Alberta, expressed significant concerns regarding the impact on community members. In a letter sent to the province on April 9, 2026, the group noted that the bill could create barriers for families, including blended families, grandparents, and foster parents. Library leaders also argue that the proposal undermines local decision-making and resident privacy by introducing government oversight and expanding the authority to inspect library records.
According to the coalition, libraries were not consulted on these specific changes, despite ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs regarding intellectual freedom since the fall of 2025. A January 2026 poll conducted by Janet Brown Opinion Research suggests that most Albertans prefer local control over provincial mandates, with 82 per cent of respondents stating they trust their local library to make appropriate decisions about materials. In comparison, 46 per cent of those polled expressed trust in the provincial government on this issue.
Pilar Martinez, CEO of the Edmonton Public Library, stated that the bill introduces new access barriers and moves decision-making away from trained professionals and local library boards. The Canmore Public Library is encouraging residents who wish to voice their thoughts on the matter to contact their local representative in the legislature.
