Overview

• An internal memo obtained by The Canadian Press shows Alberta preparing legislation to invoke Section 33 to protect three laws affecting transgender youth from court challenges.
• The laws focus on those under 16 by prohibiting gender-affirming health care, barring transgender girls from female-only sports, and requiring parental consent for school name or pronoun changes.
• A provincial spokeswoman said the clause would be used if the government deems it necessary, after Premier Danielle Smith previously characterized it as a last resort.
• The gender-affirming care ban remains halted by a June injunction as Charter challenges proceed, and medical and advocacy groups criticized the new plan, including Egale Canada and the Canadian Medical Association.
• At the Supreme Court, Ottawa has asked for limits on Section 33 while Alberta urges preservation of a 1988 precedent, with Deputy Justice Minister Malcolm Lavoie leading Alberta’s case and identified as the memo’s author.