But the Alberta Premier is considering legislation that will devastate trans youth and families.
A leaked memo reveals that she’s invoking the notwithstanding clause–a loophole in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms–that allows governments to block courts from enforcing the Charter, overriding our personal freedoms and rights and protections for marginalized groups.
This means is that these cruel laws are rammed through regardless of the fact that they almost certainly violate the basic human rights granted by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to everyone.
Alberta’s Premier is using the loophole because she knows these laws would lose in court. It’s weak. It’s cruel. And it raises the stakes of this fight.
The legislation will not be introduced until the end of October. That means we have one month to get loud–to show the government, the media, and all Albertans that this use of the clause is cruel, unpopular, and politically toxic. What we do now will set the tone of the debate. If we show strength, visibility, and public outrage, we increase the pressure on the government and allow the courts to do their job and determine if the government's law violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
This legislation bans access to gender-affirming care instead of trusting in the expertise of two-spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth, their families, and their healthcare professionals. It will:
Ban puberty blockers and hormone therapy for youth under 16.
Force schools to out students.
Ban trans girls and women from all female sports.
Restrict life-saving sex-ed and require parental opt-in.
The facts are on our side. Gender-Affirming care works. It saves lives. It’s backed by decades of evidence and is supported by every major Canadian health organization.
Reduces suicidality by nearly 50% alone and over 90% when combined with a supportive school and supportive family.
Reduces depression, anxiety and mental health challenges by up to 60%.
Reduces long-term healthcare costs by preventing crises.
The notwithstanding clause prevents the courts from enforcing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But it cannot prevent people from making their voices heard. Governments still bow to public pressure, reputational damage, and political risk.
There is a fighting chance. These laws violate Charter rights. Instead of defending them, the government is using the notwithstanding clause to suppress minority rights. If this stands, every single Charter right is at risk of being over-ridden.
The next month is decisive. We have until the end of October to flood inboxes, fill petitions, and make sure every Albertan hears our message.
Add your name to the petition. Your signature automatically emails the Premier, the Health Minister, the Opposition Leader, and your MLA.
SIGN NOW. FIGHT BACK. PROPEL HOPE.
To stop harmful anti-trans legislation. Every signature builds pressure on the government before the law is introduced at the end of October.
The government is using the notwithstanding clause to force through laws that would otherwise lose in court. This escalates the fight. Public action is the only check left.
The notwithstanding clause is a little-used loophole that was added to Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It lets governments override Charter rights and block courts from striking down bad laws for up to five years at a time (it can be renewed indefinitely). Premier Smith is using it because she knows her legislation would fail in court. That raises the stakes–the only way to stop this is through public pressure.
It is evidence-based healthcare delivered in a way that respects and validates one’s gender identity. It saves lives, improves mental health, and is supported by overwhelming majority doctors across Canada.
No. The opposite, in fact.
This legislation limits options for care and actually removes families rights to choose affirming healthcare, even when the parents, youth and doctors all agree.
No. It is safe, supported by decades of research, and recommended by major health organizations.
Families, doctors, psychologists, mental health providers, social service workers, teachers and healthcare professionals nationwide and beyond.
Youth will be denied care, forced to hide at school, and pushed into unsafe conditions. But even if it passes, strong public opposition can lead to repeal. That’s why getting loud now is critical.
The legislation will be introduced at the end of October. That means we have one month to show strength, make noise, and try our level best to shape the outcome.
Sign the petition. Share the campaign. Send direct messages to leaders. The louder we are, the harder we are to ignore.
Why I'm Supporting...
bronwen a
calgary, AB
This is a gross misuse of the notwithstanding clause and sets a precedent that any of our rights can be ripped away on a whim. It starts with the most vulnerable groups, and we all must stand up to protect each other and prevent the stripping of charter rights from Canadians
ayla l
st. albert, AB
Trans rights are human rights. All youth and all people deserve to feel safe and live their lives, and have access to the healthcare that they need to do so. Our government’s deliberate targeting of already marginalized groups to distract people from real issues in our province has huge consequences and promotes hatred and discrimination. Additionally, using the notwithstanding clause in this scenario sets a precedent that is hugely dangerous for human rights as a whole.
kole h
edmonton, AB
As a trans man raising a child in this province I dont belive that the government has a right to tell us how to raise our kids. The government has other things to worry about than the way a child identifies. This has caused a divide in our communities and hate has started spewing into our community as we face backlash for just freely being ourselves.
deanna h
calgary, AB
Trans or not, its their body. If I stand up for womans rights to their own body, or anyone's right to assited suicide, then I too will stand up for Trans rights for their own body. Everyone should have a say over their own body. If the government starts here where will bodily autonomy end. We came so far, this proposed law feels like a step backward in society. We need to stop it before it gets worse.
liane m
edmonton, AB
As an Assistant Principal in an Alberta high school I have seen how supporting trans youth and their journey impacts their personal well being. Supporting youth includes using the name and pronouns of the students’ choice and NOT outing them to their parents unless the student gives permission; otherwise, the safety of the student may be at risk. I have also seen the emotional/ mental health progress made by youth who begin using hormone blockers and dressing in accordance with their gender identity. It is wonderful to watch a student grow into who they really are. Why a group of politicians want to deny research and pretend to be psychiatrists, endocrinologists, etc. is beyond my understanding. It mirrors events which unfolded in Germany in the last century. Shame in you!
jennifer k
calgary, AB
I am signing this petition because: i) I am opposed to the use of the notwithstanding clause anywhere in Canadian politics, and, in this case (as in Quebec), it is being used as an excuse to sidestep the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to further marginalize trans youth in order to appease a particular voting base, and ii) I support the rights of trans people. Trans rights are human rights. I am concerned about the negative impacts of Alberta's policies on trans youth, their health, and their access to the supports they require. The Alberta government does not seem to understand that puberty blockers do not cause long-term irreversible effects but are literally lifesavers for trans youth who should not be forced to endure a traumatic puberty.
raymond k
edmonton, AB
I believe that everyone should have the choice to determine what they want for their own future and identity. It's that simple.
SIGN THE PETITION
Stop Alberta's Premier From Overriding Charter Rights of Trans Youth
ADD YOUR NAMEstephanie b
kitchener, ON
Trans people and youth deserve dignity, respect and support. It is also a slippery slope on overriding the Charter. We have watched throughout history minority groups be scapegoated and it always ends poorly. Let’s be on the right side of history. Let’s stay out of people’s personal lives and health care decisions, and instead focus on the real issues in front of our country.
caitlin b
canmore, AB
I cannot stand by and watch legislation so clearly fueled by ignorance and hatred. The duty of our representatives is to protect their constituents , not actively create a more hostile, dangerous environment for them.
k f
calgary, AB
Because I refuse to watch silently while the cruel and selfish members of this government do everything in their power to OTHER the members of what is already one of the most vulnerable groups out there, purely as a way to divide, and to distract from the many, more self-enriching, greedier goals they have on their agenda.
michelle b
penhold, AB
Everyone has the right to be respected and receive healthcare for who they are, not who the government thinks they should be.
lissa t
calgary, AB
The government has no business making medical decisions for my family, they have no business overriding my rights as a parent to make decisions for my child and my family, and they definitely have no business making decisions that have proven to harm children so they can pander to a bunch of pearl-clutching old people who are completely out of touch with what our society has evolved to become.
heather c
wheatland county, AB
I'm supporting because trans rights are human rights.
raven h
calgary, AB
The use of the notwithstanding clause to invoke these cruel laws is underhanded and harms everyone. These laws are against the Charter and should be struck down as the violation of human rights that they are.
ADD YOUR NAME
The Charter of Rights and Freedom is supposed to be there to protect vulnerable groups. Speak out against the use of the Notwithstanding Clause.
Sign the petitionmichelle t
edmonton, AB
I believe in freedom of choice.
michael b
edmonton, AB
Everyone deserves agency over themselves.
richard k
airdrie, AB
This cannot happen. Not in Canada
erica p
edmonton, AB
I am supporting becasue i care about the rights of all people. No one should have their autonomy taken away from them because of their gender identity. There are so many more important issues-- think homelessness, unemployment, teachers and teaching assistants, the list goes on) that so desperatley need attention right now, and the government chooses to focus on taking away the rights of its own people. Women and gender-diverse people deserve your support in their identities and choices.
killian b
red deer, AB
I’m supporting because I think all people should have rights and that includes the LGBTQ+ community and the trans community. They are human too and their experiences are unique and different and that’s okay.
kathleen m
airdrie, AB
I’m supporting because ALL people deserve respect.