The Pulse
June 24, 2026

The curator of a new banned-book subscription service says it's important to not only read books that are commonly banned, but also get together and talk about them.

"I'm really hoping to build community around this, because I think that stories, especially stories that challenge us and make us maybe a little uncomfortable, they have the power to build empathy and open minds, and the best way to do that is to put it into practice in community," said Robyn Wilson of Lit Resistance.

The service sends out a book each month that has been pulled from classrooms or challenged in libraries. The website will also include a book club board to connect readers with local and online discussion circles.

Wilson started the service partially in response to the growing prevalence of book bans and restrictions in Alberta and elsewhere. In 2025, the provincial government directed school boards to remove material that visually depicts a sexual act. "These new standards are to ensure that school boards have clear guidance to ensure age-appropriate access to school library materials, while reflecting the values and priorities of Albertans," Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said in a release at the time. Alberta school boards responded by pulling more than 170 titles, including graphic novel depictions of Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale and George Orwell's 1984.

In May of this year, the Alberta government went further, passing Bill 28, which lets the Municipal Affairs minister make regulations restricting who can access material at public libraries based on age. The move disappointed the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries, which has asked for consultation before the regulations are set.

"It's happening all across North America, but when it's happening right in our own backyard, I couldn't look away from it," Wilson said. "I have nieces that are in schools, and I want them to be able to read books that they want to read, and not have their shelves empty of books, because the government has decided that they shouldn't be able to read them."

Wilson acknowledged that some of the books that have fallen under scrutiny feature drawings or descriptions of sexual acts, but she feels that reducing a book to such content is unfair. "It takes away all of that story and all of that learning and all of that real humanness that I think is really important for people to read, and so that's why it's really important to read these books, even if there is something in there that might make you uncomfortable, like an explicit sex scene," she said.

The first book in the Lit Resistance service — Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo — went to subscribers earlier this month. It tells the story of two young girls who fall in love in San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1950s. Wilson said she wanted to make sure she launched the service in time for Pride month, because a large portion of books that are commonly banned have a 2SLGBTQ+ perspective. Indeed, of the four graphic novels the provincial government first mentioned when introducing new rules around what can be accessed in school libraries, three were queer coming-of-age stories.

One of those books was Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, which was the first book chosen for the Objectionable Publications Book Club started by Variant Edition, a shop that sells graphic novels and comics in west Edmonton.

"It felt like the honest first choice to really focus in on something that's not being attacked just here locally, but in quite a broad sense, and to have more people experience the book, which … is extremely humanizing," owner Brandon Schatz told Taproot.

• Edmonton city council has deferred the Rossdale Flats redevelopment decision to gain more input from Indigenous groups, following a contentious public hearing on June 23. The discussions highlighted concerns about preserving sacred burial grounds. The proposal includes zoning classifications to protect key views and limit flood risks. The decision will be revisited at a public hearing on July 6, following an urban planning committee meeting on July 2.
• Edmonton city council voted to reduce parking requirements for daycares, aiming to promote walking and biking. Previously, daycares required two parking spaces for the first 10 children and one for every subsequent 10 children; now, providers need only one space per 10 children. Mayor Andrew Knack highlighted the benefits of having local daycare options to reduce car reliance.
• Edmonton is planning a big bin pilot project in 2027 to address illegal dumping issues. Coun. Anne Stevenson pointed out that improper waste sorting contributes to overflowing bins. The City offers an excess waste program for multi-unit properties and is considering expanding free hours at Eco Stations and installing cameras to catch violators. Coun. Mike Elliott proposed using fine revenue to reimburse property owners for cleanup costs.
• Edmonton's water system remained operational despite a heavy downpour over the weekend, EPCOR executives told city council's utilities committee on June 22. Officials said launching a storm operations centre and executing a long-term flood protection plan helped mitigate severe impacts. Coun. Anne Stevenson credited EPCOR's proactive infrastructure investments over the past decades for the resilience. Residents are advised to limit water usage to alleviate system pressure. EPCOR's 30-year plan to upgrade stormwater infrastructure includes adding storage ponds and safeguarding water treatment plants against river overflow.
• The Stelmach Community Health Centre, the first facility in the Covenant Wellness Community in southeast Edmonton, officially opened. Named after former Alberta premier Ed Stelmach, the centre offers health services, including primary care and diagnostic imaging. Patrick Dumelie, CEO of Covenant Health, said that the centre will ease hospital pressure by relocating clinics from Grey Nuns Community Hospital. Future expansions include a senior care centre and residential housing.
• The Edmonton Dragon Boat Racing Club is asking for the public's help in locating seven dragon boats swept away by the swelling North Saskatchewan River after heavy rain. The dock was dislodged on June 22, costing the club potentially tens of thousands of dollars. Anyone who spots the boats is asked to contact the club. The club will use rowing machines in the interim.
• The City of Edmonton issued a reminder that property taxes are due next week. Those who fail to pay by the June 30 deadline face penalties. Options for payment include online banking, traditional mail, or in-person transactions at certain financial institutions. Property owners can also sign up for a monthly payment plan for future taxes.
• The Edmonton Oilers have appointed Mike Babcock as head coach, making him the 19th in the team's history. The Oilers consulted with the NHL Players' Association and completed an investigation into Babcock's controversial stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets before proceeding. Known for his demanding coaching style, Babcock has a history of success, including a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings. The Oilers also appointed D.J. Smith as associate coach under Babcock. Smith's recent tenure as interim head coach with the Los Angeles Kings resulted in an 11-6-6 record from March to the end of the 2025–26 season.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Community Coffee starting at 9am at Edmonton Unlimited
• Art Buffet starting at 12pm at Mitchell Art Gallery
• Stephanie Urquhart's Spectral Harvest starting at 12pm at La Cité francophone
• Tech For Good Alliance Working Group starting at 4pm at Arcadia Brewing Co.
• AI Tinkerers Edmonton starting at 5:30pm at AltaML
• Elevate Women in Industry starting at 6pm at 1st RND
• Salsa on the Square starting at 6pm at Churchill Square
• Cue the Queers – An Open Mic starting at 7pm at Fringe Theatre Arts Barns
• An Evening with Dr. Joia Mukherjee starting at 7pm at St. George's Anglican Church
• JazzFest: Raul Midón starting at 7:30pm at Chateau Lacombe Hotel

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• July 5-12: Historic Festival and Doors Open Edmonton
• July 16-26: Taste of Edmonton at Churchill Square
• July 26: Locked Library: The Book Case at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

Find out more about 4-Across and 8-Across in the Taproot Edmonton Calendar.