Alberta Premier Danielle Smith addresses the press in Calgary on Thursday, February 1, 2024. (Emilio Avalos/Radio-Canada)
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced plans to introduce legislation this fall, proposing significant policy changes affecting transgender and non-binary youth and adults in the province. Defending her decision at a news conference, Smith emphasized the need to restrict certain health-care options for minors and to inform parents of any name and gender identity changes requested by students at school.
In a video posted on social media, Smith detailed a series of policies and guidelines:
Top and bottom gender-affirming surgeries will be banned for minors aged 17 and under.
Puberty blockers and hormone therapies for gender affirmation will not be permitted for children aged 15 and under.
Youths aged 16 and 17 will be allowed to start hormone therapies with parental, physician, and psychologist approval.
Parental notification and consent will be required for a school to alter the name or pronouns of any child under age 15.
Parents must "opt-in" their children for lessons on gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexuality.
Approval from the education ministry is necessary for all third-party teaching materials on gender-related topics.
Transgender women will be prohibited from participating in women's sports leagues.
Smith argued that these measures are in the best interests of the child, citing concerns about irreversible decisions impacting reproductive health. She also highlighted uncertainties surrounding the safety of puberty blockers and hormone therapy in children.
The proposed policies go beyond those introduced in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick last year. Saskatchewan implemented legislation requiring parental consent for a student's preferred name and gender identity at school, while New Brunswick no longer mandates teachers to use preferred pronouns for students under 16.
Jeff Park, executive director of the Alberta Parents' Union, expressed support for the policies, noting extensive consultations with the government. However, critics, including medical professionals and legal experts, dispute the rationale behind the proposals. Calgary psychiatrist Dr. Joe Raiche emphasized the potential harm of withholding puberty blockers from younger children.
Legal challenges are anticipated, with Egale Canada ready to fight the policies in court. Bennett Jensen, director of legal for Egale Canada, argues that requiring parent permission for pronoun and name changes may violate students' rights.
University of Calgary law professor Jennifer Koshan raised concerns about the proposed age limit of 18 for medical decision-making, stating it contradicts current law.
The premier's announcement received swift reactions, drawing condemnation from advocates for transgender youth and the LGBTQ community. Alberta Teachers' Association President Jason Schilling expressed concerns about the impact on classroom dynamics, while Opposition NDP leader Rachel Notley criticized the government for interfering with medical decisions.
