Alberta premier proposes ban on sex changes for minors, men competing in women's sports, allowing parents to opt-out of gender lessons for students

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced on Wednesday a proposal to deliver on her promise last February to put the brakes on gender ideology in Alberta schools, ensure parental rights are respected, and to ban sex change operations for minors under 18 years of age. 

“In Alberta, we believe children should wait until adulthood before making physical changes to their body. Furthermore, we believe in the rights of loving parents to be meaningfully engaged with their children’s education when sensitive issues are taught. And women and girls deserve the opportunity to compete fairly and safely in female-only divisions," Smith wrote in a post on X. 

“I know these are complex and often deeply emotional topics. As someone who personally understands the profound impact and challenges these issues can cause children and their families, I want to make it clear that our government is here to support and uplift every child and every family of a child who identifies as transgender or who is struggling with gender dysphoria, and more specifically, to those children and youth, I want you to know that you are loved," the Premier added in a video with the announcement. 

In the video, she outlined precisely what Alberta intends to do with the legislation.

“Firstly, licensed Alberta doctors will be prohibited from performing gender assignment surgeries on youth under the age of 18 in Alberta, puberty blockers and hormone therapies for the purpose of gender reassignment for minors under the age of 16 will also be prohibited unless a minor has already commenced their treatment at this time,” Smith began.

“For 16 and 17-year-olds wishing to proceed with puberty blockers or other hormone therapies for the purpose of gender reassignment, they may do so only if they have parental, psychologist and doctor approval.”

Smith promised that the new legislation will “require parental notification and consent for a teacher or staff member to change a child's name or pronoun and publicly use that new name or pronoun,” including in a classroom or school assembly.

The new law will also impact “women and girls in competitive sports.” The proposed legislation will prohibit individuals born male from competing against women and girls in competitive sports. Smith said this rule will be binding for all competitive women's sports and all provincial sporting organizations. It will apply to school K-12 as well as post-secondary schooling. 

Trudeau Health Minister Mark Holland wrote on X that he was “concerned” about Smith’s impending legislation: “I am concerned by Premier Smith’s announcement regarding gender affirming care in Alberta. Health care decisions, including gender affirming care, should be made between families and their doctors.”