Province passes three legislations targeting trans youth

Three pieces of legislation affecting transgender people in Alberta have passed the final stage of debate and are set to become law. The changes include requiring children under the age of 16 to have parental consent if they want to change their names or pronouns at school and to prohibit children from starting puberty blockers and receiving any type of gender reassignment care. The legislation will also not allow transgender girls from joining female sports.

Premier Danielle Smith says the bills were important to protect both children and female athletes.

Groups within the LGBTQ2IA+ community have already said they will challenge the UCP’s legislation in court, calling it discriminatory.

The Alberta teachers’ Association also weighed in on this topic today. The group’s President Jason Schilling says it’s an issue that should have been left up the school divisions themselves, adding that many teachers are more concerned with class sizes and the need for resources and mental health supports. He says these latest bills show the province is out of touch with what’s happening in the classroom.