A principal in southern Manitoba is taking legal action against a parent who attempted to have certain books removed from school libraries. The principal, Mary Reimer, alleges that the parent, Raelyn Fox, made defamatory statements on social media suggesting that the principal endorsed the distribution of child pornography. Reimer claims that Fox has persistently targeted the Prairie Rose School Division and Carman Collegiate, even after initially raising concerns about sexually explicit materials in the library.
In response to the allegations, Reimer is seeking damages and an injunction to prevent Fox from spreading false statements implying that she condoned the availability of pornographic materials to students or engaged in promoting sexual exploitation or child pornography. Reimer stated in an affidavit that the damaging implications of Fox’s comments have had a severe impact on her reputation.
Fox had initiated a petition in 2023 urging the Prairie Rose School Division to restrict access to books she deemed sexually explicit for minors. Among the books mentioned were titles like Margaret Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five.” Reimer contends that some of the books highlighted by Fox were either not in circulation or were restricted to mature students, despite Fox’s claims.
The principal expressed concerns that Fox’s social media posts could incite hostility and potentially lead to violence within the community. Reimer is also seeking an order to have Fox remove defamatory statements, including one suggesting that Reimer believed in making pornographic content available to children.
Fox, in her defense, denied the defamatory nature of her posts and argued that the books she mentioned were cataloged, even if not readily available on shelves. She also denied attributing LGBTQ themes to her concerns when addressing the school board.
According to the Canadian Library Challenges Database, there were calls to remove approximately 20 titles from Prairie Rose School Division libraries, including materials related to sex education and 2SLGBTQ+ content. Activists have been increasingly targeting schools, with groups advocating for parents’ rights seeking to influence book selections and educational programs.
James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, highlighted the rise in requests to remove books from libraries and schools, emphasizing the importance of considering concerns raised by these groups while upholding legal protections for educational and artistic materials.
Fox has been vocal on social media about her efforts to challenge book selections in various Manitoba school divisions but has refrained from commenting on the ongoing lawsuit. Reimer and the Prairie Rose School Division have chosen not to provide comments on the matter.