A week after the Premier published a video on her various social media platforms outlining the UCP government's plans to introduce amendments to the Alberta Bill of Rights, Premier Danielle Smith published another video on Tuesday.
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In the video, the Premier addressed Albertans, saying she wanted to speak on the topic 'that is deeply personal and sensitive to so many.'
"... The journey of children and youth in our province who identify as transgender and who are struggling with gender dysphoria. As you may know, after announcing our government's new policy direction on these issues earlier this year, we engaged in extensive consultations with parents, educators, healthcare professionals, sporting organizations and members of the transgender community. We are now prepared to introduce the legislation implementing these new policies," she said.
The Premier said she intended to introduce the legislation when the Alberta legislature was back in session. She added that she wanted 'Albertans to know what to expect in that proposed legislation.'
"In our schools, the proposed legislation will now require parental notification and consent for a teacher or staff member to change a child's name or pronoun and publicly use that new name or pronoun in a classroom setting or school assembly. And to be clear, this does not mean reporting or outing a student for their private conversations with friends or teachers regarding their gender identity."
Premier Smith said that for youth 16 or 17 years old who choose to alter their name or pronoun used in school, 'they may do so without parental consent, so long as parents are still notified in advance.'
"In those extremely rare circumstances where a teacher feels that a child might be at risk should the parents be notified of a desired name or pronoun change. Alberta Education will provide a protocol to ensure the protection of that child throughout the parental notification process."
Other details of the proposed legislation will also include doctors being prohibited from performing gender assignment surgeries on youth under the age of 18 in the province.
"... Puberty blockers and hormone therapies for the purpose of gender reassignment for minors under the age of 16 will also be prohibited unless a minor has already commenced their treatment at this time," the Premier explained.
Youth who are 16 and 17 are wishing to proceed with puberty blockers or other hormone therapies for the purpose of gender reassignment, they will only be able to do so only if they have parental, psychologist and doctor approval.
"In addition, the newly proposed legislation will require parental notification and a parental opt-in requirement for each instance a teacher intends to address issues or subject matter involving gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality," Premier Smith continued. "Furthermore, the provision of resource, materials or presentations to students related to these subjects in our K 12 schools must be approved by the Ministry of Education to ensure age appropriateness and relevance to school curriculum."
The legislation will also aim to 'prohibit individuals born biologically male from competing against women and girls in competitive sporting competitions.'
"This will apply to all competitive women's and girls' sports and all provincial sporting organizations, as well as in our school and post-secondary competitive sporting divisions."
However, the Premier noted that the prohibition will not apply to recreational or co-educational divisions.
"Our government will support the formation of additional co-ed and recreational divisions so that all athletes have as many opportunities as possible to compete in their sport of choice."
The Premier also underlined that she wanted to discuss and debate this proposed legislation in a 'de-politicized' manner.
"... And focus on the well-being of the children and youth most affected by these policies. They each need to know that although adults may strenuously disagree on what policies are in a child's best interest, each of us loves and supports them in becoming the person they want to be, regardless. We'll be there for them if they want to talk or need our support."
The UCP government's previous proposed policies on transgender youth were met with fierce backlash across the province, including various pride societies across the province announcing that they would not be welcoming UCP MLAs to local pride events.
According to the current provincial Education Act, Section 58.1 requires schools, including public, private, and charter schools, to notify parents when courses or materials primarily and explicitly address religion or human sexuality. Parents can request, in writing, that their child be exempt from such instruction without academic penalty.
Alberta Education reviewed the curriculum and identified courses such as CALM, CTS, and Physical Education that require parental notification under this rule. Teachers and administrators must use professional judgment to determine when notice is needed, ensuring that incidental discussions on religion or sexuality do not trigger notification requirements. Parents must receive written notice allowing enough time to exempt their child if desired.
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