The Honourable Lisa Beare
Minister of Education and Childcare
PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt,
Victoria BC V8W9E2
CANADA
Via email: ecc.minister@gov.bc.ca
Re: Age-Appropriate Materials in British Columbia Schools
On March 11, 2025, during Question Period, the Conservative Official Opposition raised the concerns of Surrey parents about inappropriate books and materials in schools. In response, you stated:
“I have directed the ministry to work towards a provincial framework that includes a specific criterion ensuring that age-appropriate materials are in schools.”
Now, as a new school year begins, we are still waiting for that promised framework. Parents, teachers, and school communities have been left with no clarity on what “age-appropriate” means, who is developing the framework, or when it will be implemented.
Over the past several months, we have heard directly from parents across the province – especially in Surrey, B.C.’s fastest-growing school district. Families have expressed deep concern about materials containing sexual imagery or themes that are not appropriate for their children’s age. Many parents have told us they feel shut out of the decision-making process, with little transparency from government about how resources are approved or reviewed.
That is why we introduced the Parental Transparency and Age-Appropriate Education Act earlier this year. Our legislation would establish an independent review committee, require a public process for evaluating school resources, and label educational materials with age-appropriate guidelines. Families deserve to know what their children are being exposed to in classrooms, and they deserve confidence that materials are consistent with community standards and age-appropriateness.
Minister, you committed in March to delivering a framework to ensure age-appropriate materials. Six months later, there has been no framework, no criteria, and no timeline. This is not simply a matter of delay – it is a matter of parental trust in the school system. Parents need to know their children are protected from content that is developmentally inappropriate.
Educators need clear and consistent guidance. School districts need a transparent process they can rely on.
We therefore demand answers to the following questions:
- Where is the framework you promised in March, and when will it be released?
- Who has participated in developing it — parents, teachers, school districts, or solely ministry officials?
- What exact criteria are being used to define “age-appropriate”?
- Were any best practices or outside models consulted?
- What is the timeline for finalizing and implementing this framework in schools across British Columbia?
Minister, British Columbians expect you to keep your word. Parents deserve transparency. Educators deserve clarity. Students deserve to learn in environments where materials are appropriate for their age and stage of development.
We urge you to provide a full response to these questions without delay and to make public the framework and criteria you committed to delivering. Until you do, parents will continue to feel excluded, and confidence in the education system will continue to erode.
Sincerely,
Lynne Block, MLA
West Vancouver – Capilano
Official Opposition Critic for Education
Mandeep Dhaliwal, MLA
Surrey North
Official Opposition Critic for Parental Rights
cc: Premier David Eby