Medical groups, including the Alberta Medical Association and the Canadian Paediatric Society, have voiced strong opposition to Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed regulations on gender-affirming care for youth. These regulations can use the Charter’s notwithstanding clause, which would take away Alberta minors’ access to gender-affirming treatments. The political firestorm that arose from these modifications has stoked a nationwide divide in public sentiment on how best to provide care for transgender minors.
This latest pushback from medical organizations specifically responds to the recent movement to introduce laws restricting access to gender-affirming care. Illustration by Grady McFerrin Premier Smith’s office continues to argue that the newly finalized rules are necessary to protect minors from harm. Opponents argue that these actions endanger the lives of trans youth. Gender-affirming care is a set of medical interventions, with puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and genital surgery being the most discussed. In Canada, many of these procedures are not currently offered to people under 18 at all.
The debate gained an additional spotlight during the “Let Kids Be Kids” rally, organized by the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA). Rally attendees demanded a halt to all gender-affirming care for minors. One of those in attendance was Kellie Lynn Pirie, who began transitioning in 2005 but started to begin the process of reversing her transition back in 2023. She expressed her concerns around labeling kids with what she refers to as “life-changing labels.” She described this occurring just due to their decisions over hair length or play patterns.
“It’s the same process that we use to arrive at all of our medical treatments,” said Bri Crockford, a medical professional advocating for gender-affirming care. She emphasized that the treatment protocols are based on extensive listening to transgender individuals’ experiences, aiming to inform and improve care.
Opponents of gender-affirming care often claim that minors are incapable of consenting to medical transitions. Daniel Zekveld, another speaker at the rally, stated, “We believe we need to let kids be, to grow and develop naturally without medical gender transitions.” This attitude paints a picture of a swelling movement across many European nations. Their rationale for banning them is that there aren’t enough long-term studies on the effects of these medications being prescribed to children.
Experts almost unanimously agree that puberty blockers are safe. On the other end of the spectrum, countries such as the United Kingdom and Sweden have adopted a much more prudent strategy. Medical organizations are increasing their legal efforts to block Alberta’s bill against trans people. Whether discussed publicly or privately, these conversations should call into question this law’s constitutionality.
Independent non-binary Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Krystin Wong-Tam leveled a fierce rebuttal to the case against gender-affirming care. She stated that this kind of preventative treatment is crucial to saving lives. “We’re telling them that they are loved and perfect for who they are,” Wong-Tam remarked, highlighting the emotional support that accompanies access to appropriate medical care.
Wong-Tam additionally addressed some of the fears raised by parents about what gender-affirming care means.”Parents are out here because they’re scared.Some of them are just really afraid and the fear is being fueled by the fact that they’re receiving misinformation.They don’t understand what it means for their kids, and so they push back, understandably,” she said. She cautioned that most parents want to see gender affirming care protected by a line of defense against that misinformation campaign and societal backlash.
As of the 2021 census, approximately one in 300 Ontarians identifies as transgender or non-binary. The ongoing debate over gender-affirming care continues to provoke strong reactions on both sides, reflecting broader societal tensions regarding gender identity and youth healthcare.
