From the Frontier Centre for Public Policy

By Michael Zwaagstra

New rules on sexually explicit books in libraries ensure that students only have access to age-appropriate materials

Should books with sexually explicit content be in school libraries?

If your answer to this question is “no,” then you agree with the Government of Alberta’s recent ministerial order on school libraries. If your answer is “yes,” then you agree with the critics who oppose this order. It is that simple.

Judging by the reaction of the government’s critics, one might think the Alberta government had just enacted a sweeping book ban. However, the guidelines announced by Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides are clearly targeted at sexually explicit content. Unless you believe young children should have access to sexually explicit content at school, it makes little sense to oppose these new guidelines.

Lest one assume no school would allow sexually explicit content in its library, the Alberta government posted excerpts from four American books found in many Alberta school libraries. There is no question that the content in these books is sexually explicit, something any reasonable person can confirm.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), which seems to oppose every announcement this government makes, issued a statement claiming these guidelines would “result in the removal of valuable and inclusive resources from our libraries.” However, it’s unlikely many parents think there’s anything valuable or inclusive about providing children with sexually explicit content.

In its news release, the ATA also argued these guidelines would “have a chilling effect on our schools and signal to students who are coming to understand themselves that some expressions of their gender and sexual identities are shameful and should be hidden away.”

However, these guidelines do not single out or target any gender identity or sexual orientation. Instead, the focus is entirely on books that contain sexually explicit content. Students will still be able to access books that portray a variety of gender identities and sexual orientations from their school libraries. Additionally, these guidelines do not apply to books that address topics such as puberty and menstruation.

Critics argue that these guidelines impose an unreasonable burden on school boards and distract them from more important issues. However, there is nothing unreasonable about requiring school boards to make clear what criteria they use when selecting books for their school libraries. Frankly, this should have already happened years ago.

Regarding the argument that these guidelines distract from more pressing issues in education, nothing in this announcement detracts from other current initiatives in Alberta schools. In fact, the announcement was made in July, one of the slowest times for the education system. If the government really wanted to distract from other issues, one might have expected this announcement to happen in September or October, when the school year is just beginning.

In addition, some school boards have been vocal in their support for these new guidelines. For example, Nicole Buchanan, chair of the board for Red Deer Public Schools, spoke in favour of the library guidelines at a provincial news conference. As part of her remarks, she said, “This isn’t about banning books or silencing voices. It’s about recognizing that some content simply isn’t appropriate in a K-12 setting.”

Buchanan is absolutely right. Just because some things are widely available to students outside of school doesn’t mean they must be accessible within school. For example, as a teacher, I understand many students watch television shows and YouTube videos that contain plenty of profanity. However, that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for me to use the same words or show the same videos in class.

As a society, we recognize that schools have a responsibility to protect students and ensure they are exposed to positive influences. While we cannot control what students do outside of school, there is certainly an expectation that any content we provide to students in school is age-appropriate. This is true whether we are in the classroom or in the school library.

The Alberta government did the right thing when it introduced guidelines for school libraries. There is nothing unreasonable about ensuring students, particularly those in elementary school, are not exposed to sexually explicit content in school.

Parents and students deserve no less. The Alberta government has made the right decision.

Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher and a senior fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy

The Budd Coutts Apprenticeship and Education Centre near Edmonton, run by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 955, has increased training for operators of crucial pieces of heavy equipment called pipe-layers or “side-booms.” Photo supplied to the Canadian Energy Centre

From the Canadian Energy Centre

By Will Gibson

‘We are increasing our programs because we see huge shortfalls in the future’

Having learned to drive a tractor before he was old enough to shave, Allan Dakin started operating heavy equipment for a construction company around the same time he obtained his driver’s license.

“I got into construction when I was 16,” says Dakin, who was born in Lac La Biche, Alta. but moved to Fort McMurray in the 1970s when his father got a job at the Great Canadian Oil Sands project, which is now Suncor Energy’s Base Plant.

“Because I was a farm boy, I was comfortable around those machines. But I still had a good mentor who taught me a lot.”

Pipe-layers or “side-booms” at IUOE Local 955’s Budd Coutts Apprenticeship and Education Centre near Edmonton. Photo for the Canadian Energy Centre

Dakin is now guiding the next generation of operators as an instructor at the Budd Coutts Apprenticeship and Education Centre run by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 955.

Last spring it became the first union to receive Alberta government funding for skills training, with $350,000 announced to support a mobile crane operator apprenticeship program. That was expanded in the 2025 provincial budget with $15 million granted to union training providers over the next three years.

Now the centre, located about 45 minutes northeast of Edmonton, has expanded its training program for operators of crucial pieces of heavy equipment called pipe-layers thanks to funding from the Pathways Alliance.

The industry group represents six of Canada’s largest oil sands producers.

Pipe-layers, also known as side-booms, are bulldozers with a crane attached to the top used to pick up, carry and place lengths of pipeline.

“Pipe-layers or side-booms are what we use to build pipelines. That’s not just oil and gas pipelines. They are used for water and sewer lines as well,” says Chris Flett, business manager for Local 955.

“They bring the fibre optic cables to your homes. They are an important piece of equipment to build communities and industries. If you want to build the country and your communities, all these pieces of equipment we are operating out here are necessary and important.”

Chris Flett, business manager of IUOE Local 955. Photo for the Canadian Energy Centre

Local 955 is continually looking for new partners to grow its training capacity, Flett said.

“We are increasing our programs and adding to our offerings because we see huge shortfalls in the future,” he said.

“If we don’t do it, we are going to have a really hard time getting projects off the ground in this country.”

Pathways Alliance president Kendall Dilling said its sponsorship will help industry find the skilled workers it needs for the coming decades.

“Local 955 has an excellent track record of supporting our industry, retaining a high percentage of apprentices in their program, fostering strong relationships with Indigenous workers and communities as well as providing skilled labour on major projects,” Dilling said.

The course to train pipe-layer operators takes three weeks and costs $3,000.

The Canadian Energy Centre spoke to Cole Miller, who has worked on pipelines for the past 11 years, one week into the pipe-layer operator course.

“I’ve worked around side-booms while I’ve worked on pipelines but this my first time on this piece of equipment so I’ve been getting used to the machine and the controls,” said Miller, who lives in Westlock County, a rural area north of Edmonton.

“We have really good instructors, they have been awesome. It was a little intimidating at first but you get lots of one-on-one time with them.”

The centre has also expanded its course offering to include training on a tower crane erected at the centre’s 160-acre work site, supported by both the provincial and federal governments.

Tower crane at IUOE Local 955’s Budd Coutts Apprenticeship and Education Centre near Edmonton. Photo for the Canadian Energy Centre

“This is the first tower crane in the Prairies solely dedicated to training and instructing operators,” Flett said.

“Tower crane operators, in particular, are one of the most in-demand trades and one of the most technical. If you want to build the cities of tomorrow, the skyline is built with tower cranes.”

Dakin, who also worked in the oil sands in his 40-plus years of operating equipment, sees a bright future for Miller and other operators.

“Working with the students is very fulfilling because you see their excitement and willingness to learn. I really enjoy giving back what I’ve picked up over the years,” said Dakin, who has instructed students at the centre on everything from excavators to graders to haul trucks to pipe-layers.

“It’s so important to make yourself more diverse by training on different equipment because more doors open when you have more skills and knowledge.”