Alberta to stop transgender gender reassignment surgeries for those 17 and under: Smith

A series of new measures will be put in place regarding transgender children. 

Premier Danielle Smith says her government will be implementing a series of policies relating to underage transgender people.

On Wednesday afternoon, Smith posted a video explaining the changes as it relates to the use of surgery and hormones, education, and athletics — things that were hinted at during Smith’s visit to Bonnyville last Friday.

Minors age 17 and under, top and bottom gender reassignment surgeries will not be permitted, Smith said, and for those 15 and under, puberty blockers and hormone therapies for the purpose of gender reassignment or affirmation will also not be permitted, with the exception of those who have already commenced their treatment at this time.  

Minors aged 16 and 17 will be permitted to commence hormone therapies for gender reassignment and affirmation purposes, so long as they are deemed mature enough to make these decisions and have parental physician and psychologist approval, Smith said. 

The Government of Alberta will be looking to attract top gender reassignment surgeons to ensure safer and more localized access for transgender adults in the province.

Education

In education, all third party resource materials or presentations related to gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality through K-12 will need to be pre-approved by the Ministry of Education to ensure “the materials are age appropriate” for a minor age 15 and under, Smith said. 

The government will require parental notification and consent for a school to alter the name or pronouns of a child for 16 and 17 year olds who choose to alter their name or pronouns.  

“Parents do not need to give consent, but they must be notified. We know that nearly all parents even those who may disagree with the decision of their children will love and care for their children no matter what choices they make,” she said in the video. 

In the cases of rejection and abuse, child protection laws will be strictly enforced, Smith said.

]The government is also designing a pilot project to provide appropriate counseling services to support parents and youth identifying as transgender to work through the unique challenges these families face.  

“We encourage all teachers, parents, classmates and youth volunteers to be on the watch for any instances of bullying of youth or children for any reason, so adults can assist with putting a stop to it the moment it is detected.” 

Sports

Citing biological differences, but the right to still participate in sport, the Alberta government will work with sporting organizations active in our province to ensure that women and girls have the choice to compete in a women’s only division in athletic competitions, and are not forced to compete against biologically stronger transgender female athletes, Smith explained. 

“I would therefore ask that as we work through implementing these policies that we as adults in this province, do all we can to de-politicize the discussion and focus on the wellbeing of the children involved, whether they’re young people identifying as transgender, or who find themselves attracted to those of the same sex, are simply trying to understand the complex and often changing emotions and feelings of being teenagers.

“They all need our unconditional love and support.”