Quebec government eliminates $38M dedicated school book budget

The Quebec government has decided to eliminate a $38 million budget specifically reserved for the purchase of books by school service centers. This funding will instead be merged into a larger general envelope that includes budgets for various other activities, such as sports and school outings.

This decision has drawn strong criticism from the Association des libraires du Québec (ALQ), which expressed concern that access to books may now be forced to compete with other school needs, potentially leading to a significant drop in purchases. To raise awareness, independent bookstores are distributing bookmarks to highlight that school books are a fundamental tool for educational success rather than a discretionary expense.

Additionally, eight former Quebec ministers from the Culture and Communications and Education departments have signed an open letter warning of the “grave” consequences this measure could have on youth development.