Advocates plea for Ottawa to call inquiry into Alberta, Saskatchewan trans laws

OTTAWA - Transgender advocates are urging the federal government to initiate an inquiry into provincial laws in Saskatchewan and Alberta that they claim have led to increased harassment, bullying, and mental health issues for transgender individuals. These laws mandate parental consent for students under 16 to alter their names or pronouns at school, and restrict transgender athletes 12 and older from participating in female amateur competitive sports, as well as limit access to gender-affirming medical care for youth.

The laws were enacted under the notwithstanding clause, preventing them from being challenged in court. Advocates argue that these laws have had a detrimental impact on the mental well-being of transgender youth, with some even taking their own lives. Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta and Premier Scott Moe of Saskatchewan have defended their respective policies, asserting that the school regulations protect parental rights, while Smith’s government maintains its other laws aim to ensure safety for female athletes and prevent hasty, irreversible decisions by youth.