Quebec government eliminates dedicated $38M school book budget

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

This decision has drawn criticism from the Association des libraires du Québec (ALQ), which expressed concerns that access to books will now compete with other school needs, potentially leading to a significant drop in purchases. To raise awareness, hundreds of independent bookstores are distributing bookmarks to emphasize that school books are fundamental tools for educational success rather than discretionary expenses.

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