Alberta Bill 28: What It Means for St. Albert Public Library
St. Albert Public Library (SAPL) is committed to keeping our community informed about issues that affect public library services, access to information, and local decision-making. Alberta’s Bill 28, introduced in April 2026, proposes changes to the Libraries Act that could significantly affect how public libraries across the province operate. SAPL is a member of the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries (CAP Libraries) and is working alongside libraries across Alberta to understand the proposed legislation, share sector expertise, and advocate for practical, community-based outcomes. Read more about Bill 28 and CAP Libraries below.
Bill 28, formally titled the Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, was introduced by Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs on April 2, 2026. It is an omnibus bill that amends several provincial statutes, including the Libraries Act. St. Albert Public Library and the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries (CAP Libraries) are strongly opposed because it undermines free speech and expression, local decision-making, and the privacy of Albertans.
No. Bill 28 will limit everyone’s access to specific materials. Libraries already uphold the rights of parents to make decisions for their families, and direct users to age-appropriate materials. Restricting access to public library materials is censorship, regardless of whether these materials remain physically in library spaces.
Public libraries in Alberta view this proposed legislation as an act of censorship that would limit access to materials. While guidelines have not yet been shared, libraries are concerned that this could impede Albertans’ access to hundreds of materials. Bill 28 introduces expanded government oversight into public library operations and enables increased inspection of records, creating serious privacy concerns for Albertans.
No Albertan should have their reading habits tracked, flagged, or monitored by any government body. That’s not how a free society works.These changes undermine longstanding protections that keep what you read private.
It's important to remember that school libraries and public libraries operate very differently. One key distinction is that public libraries do not operate in loco parentis (in place of parents). Parents and guardians are responsible for the materials and programs accessed by their children or teens and have the right to choose what is best for themselves and their own family. This bill introduces parental approval requirements that could create new access barriers for blended families, grandparents, foster parents, and others who care for children.
Public libraries in Alberta are working together to champion the value and impact of libraries for our Province. Through greater collaboration and connection, libraries can better support each other and the needs of their respective communities. CAP Libraries remains eager to collaborate with the Province on practical, operational steps that address concerns, while respecting parental responsibility, local decision-making, and intellectual freedom.
The coalition was formed following the passage of a resolution at Alberta Municipalities and the Rural Municipalities of Alberta to support increased funding for Alberta’s public libraries, which was approved by a high majority vote of both organizations. Public libraries then united around collective advocacy for funding. At the same time, another issue emerged in September 2025 when school boards in Alberta responded to a government order to remove certain materials in their libraries. This initiated a new goal – to advocate for the value and role of public libraries as critical community spaces, and as organizations committed to the foundational value of intellectual freedom. CAP Libraries was formally launched with 18 signatories representing ten medium and large sized public libraries, one Cree Nation Library Board, and seven regional libraries in early 2026.
CAP Libraries was formally launched with 18 signatories representing ten medium and large sized public libraries, one Cree Nation Library Board, and seven regional libraries.
- Airdrie Public Library
- Calgary Public Library
- Chinook Arch Regional Library System
- Strathcona County Library
- Edmonton Public Library
- Grande Prairie Public Library
- Kehewin Cree Nation Community Library
- Lethbridge Public Library
- Marigold Library System
- Medicine Hat Public Library
- Northern Lights Library System
- Parkland Regional Library System
- Peace Library System
- Red Deer Public Library
- Shortgrass Library System
- St. Albert Public Library
- Wood Buffalo Regional Library
- Yellowhead Regional Library
