Culture minister condemns US candidate's burning of Quebec author's book

Quebec Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe is blaming an up-and-coming Republican US lawmaker for burning a book by a local author.

A video released Tuesday by the Republican candidate for Missouri secretary of state shows him holding a torch to library books he uses to “groom” children.

Among the books burned by candidate Valentina Gómez was Naked: Your Average Sex Encyclopedia, an English translation of Tout nu by Quebec writer Miriam Dagouzan Bernier and illustrator Cécile Gariepy.

The book is described as an inclusive guide to sexuality for teenagers.

Lacombe told reporters in Quebec City today that the book burning won't happen in 2024.

A motion was later passed unanimously in Quebec's National Assembly denouncing censorship and reiterating support for freedom of expression, freedom of speech and the free flow of ideas.

— This Canadian Press report was first published on February 8, 2024.