Alberta invokes notwithstanding clause on three bills affecting trans and gender-diverse youth

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has invoked the notwithstanding clause for three sweeping bills affecting transgender and gender-diverse youth that were passed last year in a bid to prevent courts from weighing in on the legislation.

The three pieces of legislation respectively limit gender-affirming treatment for transgender youth, ban transgender participation in womens’ and girls’ sports divisions, and require parental consent for name and pronoun changes in school while also requiring parents to opt their child into sexual education.