Alberta. Advisory Board on Objectionable Publications

The Advisory Board on Objectionable Publications was created on December 29, 1954 by Order-in-Council (O.C) 1801/54 through Section 3 of the Cultural Development Act (S.A. 1946, c. 9). The Advisory Board does not appear to have met after the appointments of its board members expired in 1973, and it was disbanded on November 2, 1976 by O.C. 1194/76.

Names of Chief Officers:
Chair of the Advisory Board on Objectionable Publications
Anna P. Maure, 1954-1960
Tom Jackson, 1960-1963
D.V. Steele, 1963-1965
J.M. Godfrey, 1965-1966
J.D. Palmer, 1966-1968
Aleta Vikse, 1969-1971
J.G. MacGregor, 1971-1973

Under Section 3 of the Cultural Development Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister could establish boards, each consisting of not more than seven members, whose functions shall be the encouragement, co-ordination, expansion and development of different aspects of the cultural life of the Province, and in particular, library facilities in both urban and rural districts, music, art, drama, handicrafts and physical recreation.

As defined in O.C. 1801/54, the mandate of the Advisory Board on Objectionable Publications was “to study and investigate the question of crime and other objectionable comics and salacious magazines and to recommend effective action to prevent their sale and distribution in the Province.” In 1958, its mandate was extended to include tabloids (O.C. 1776/58). The Advisory Board undertook its mandate by examining publications to determine whether they were suitable for distribution to the citizens of Alberta and advising that unsuitable publications be withdrawn from sale. The Advisory Board also published pamphlets to raise awareness about objectionable publications in society.

Cultural Development Act (S.A. 1946, c. 9, s. 3).

The name authority is based on the establishing order in council and the Advisory Board's records.