Federal Justice Minister Arif Virani expressed serious concerns about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s upcoming measures aimed at restricting access to certain transgender health services for children and banning gender-diverse individuals from participating in some sports events. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Virani accused Smith of “targeting and demonizing” trans children, expressing doubts about the wisdom of such policies.
Virani refrained from confirming plans for a legal challenge, as Alberta has yet to enact the proposed measures. However, Health Minister Mark Holland strongly criticized Alberta’s plan, citing the risks it poses to children, especially considering that issues related to sexuality identity are a leading cause of youth suicides.
While the Conservative Party had a majority of its delegates at a recent policy convention support measures restricting transgender health care for minors, they declined to comment on Smith’s actions in Alberta. The Liberals’ reaction comes a day after Smith announced her intent to implement policies to prevent minors from making “permanent and irreversible decisions regarding one’s biological sex” and to limit transgender children’s access to certain healthcare services.
Smith’s proposed policies include banning surgeries for minors aged 17 and under and imposing restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for children 15 and under. She also announced measures requiring parental consent for name and pronoun changes at school for those aged 15 and under and restricting transgender women from competing in women’s sports leagues.
The Alberta premier pledged her support for the rights of adults to pursue transgender care and vowed to bring a specialist in transgender surgery to Alberta, reducing the need for residents to seek care in other provinces.
Federal officials, including Justice Minister Virani, strongly condemned Smith’s actions, describing them as “extremely dangerous” and “reprehensible.” LGBTQ groups promised legal action if the policies are enacted, arguing that they violate constitutional rights and will lead to irreparable harm to trans and gender-diverse youth. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association also pledged to challenge the policies, labeling them a “clear and blatant attack on freedom.”