Freedom to Read Week is an annual event organized by the Freedom of Expression Committee of the Book and Periodical Council. It encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed them under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Freedom to read can never be taken for granted. Even in Canada, a free country by world standards, books and magazines are banned at the border. Books are removed from the shelves in Canadian libraries, schools and bookstores every day. Free speech on the Internet is under attack. Few of these stories make headlines, but they affect the right of Canadians to decide for themselves what they choose to read.

Challenged Works List

This selective list, prepared by the Freedom of Expression Committee of the Book and Periodical Council, provides information on more than 100 books, magazines, graphic novels and other written works that have been challenged in the past decades. Each challenge sought to limit public access to the work in schools, libraries, or bookstores. Some challenges were upheld; others were rejected. Some challenges remain unresolved.

Read more: http://www.freedomtoread.ca/censorship-in-canada/challenged-works-list/

Challenges to Publications in Canadian Public Libraries

The Canadian Library Association’s Advisory Committee on Intellectual Freedom, in partnership with the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee, developed an annual survey to investigate challenges to books, magazines and DVDs in Canadian public libraries. The results of the most recent surveys are posted here.

Read more: http://www.freedomtoread.ca/censorship-in-canada/challenges-to-publications-in-canadian-public-libraries/