Alberta introduced a new set of rules and regulations for children who desire gender reassignment, and many government officials across the country aren’t impressed and have spoken out against it.
On Wednesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shared a message to all Albertans online and announced policies that would affect transgender kids under the age of 17.
Smith said all top and bottom surgeries for minors, and puberty blockers and hormone therapy for youth under 15 (all for the purpose of changing gender) will not be permitted.
“Making permanent and irreversible decisions regarding one’s biological sex while still a youth can severely limit that child’s choices in the future,” Smith said in a video on X announcing the proposed policy changes.
“Prematurely encouraging or enabling children to alter their very biology or natural growth, no matter how well intentioned and sincere, poses a risk to that child’s future that I, as premier, am not comfortable with permitting in our province,” she added.
Additionally, parents will have to give the greenlight before some students can use a different name or pronoun at school other than what they were given at birth.
That’s not all, the new set of rules also won’t allow transgender women to compete in women’s sports leagues.
“The risks and unfair advantages that young women and girls are experiencing when competing with biologically stronger transgender females in sporting competitions have also grown too high,” she said.
OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT RESPOND
Following the news, many government officials gave their two cents on the controversial move, and in short, they aren’t happy.
Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien spoke out against the policies calling it “incredibly” disappointing.
“These policies are dangerous and intentionally restrictive. They deliberately endanger and isolate trans kids. Young people should not be targeted by their governments, they should be protected,” Ien shared this week on X.
MPP for Toronto Centre Kristyn Wong-Tam was in agreement.
“Alberta’s newly announced anti-Trans policies will not keep students safe. [Danielle Smith]’s plan will not keep parents informed — her plan will make vulnerable kids better at hiding when they need support. It’s a plan to kill Trans kids,” they said.
Canada’s Minister of Sport and Physical Activity Carla Qualtrough called the policy nothing short of “exclusion, not inclusion.”
Meanwhile, federal justice minister Arif Virani believes that the new rules target vulnerable people.
“As a parent, my heart breaks for young 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Alberta who are being targeted by [Danielle Smith]’s harmful and misguided policy. To trans and gender diverse youth: please know that we – and so many Canadians – stand with you and will stand up for your rights.”
