Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Considers Notwithstanding Clause for Transgender Health Law

The proposed law restricts gender-affirming care for minors and faces legal challenges over Charter rights violations.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated she is prepared to invoke the notwithstanding clause to defend a law restricting gender-affirming care for minors, but only as a 'last resort.'
The law bans puberty blockers and hormone therapy for individuals under 16 and prohibits gender-affirming surgeries for minors, citing concerns about preserving fertility.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including Egale Canada and Skipping Stone Foundation, are challenging the law, arguing it violates Charter rights related to equality, security, and freedom from cruel treatment.
The legal challenge seeks an injunction to maintain access to gender-affirming care for minors while the courts determine the law's constitutionality.
This health bill is part of a broader legislative package that also includes restrictions on name and pronoun changes in schools and bans transgender athletes from competing in female amateur sports.