Provincial union say UCP’s youth-trans bills attack vulnerable Albertans

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 6, 2024.

news@medicinehatnews.com

Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees say the UCP’s new legislation centred around trans-youth is “an attack on some of Alberta’s most vulnerable populations,” and are calling on the government to put an “immediate stop” to passing Bills 26, 27 and 29.

“We are speaking out against these extremely disturbing actions by the UCP government,” says vice-president Bobby-Joe Borodey in a release issued Tuesday. “AUPE members are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, we are allies, parents and workers who deliver public services with dignity and respect to all Albertans. This legislation hurts us all.”

Borodey added the proposed legislation is a “blatant violation” of the rights and freedoms of trans people and says it will have adverse effects on AUPE members who work directly with trans youth, including educational assistants and health-care workers.

An example provided by the union includes an educational assistant working for the Living Waters Catholic Separate School Division who may be faced with disciplinary measures if they choose to support a trans student and use their preferred names and pronouns without parental consent.

As well, health-care workers will “almost certainly” be exposed to potentially upsetting working environments as trans youth are denied treatment.

“Instead of addressing the province’s health-care and affordability crisis, Premier Danielle Smith has chosen to wage an attack on some of Alberta’s most vulnerable populations by restricting their access to health care, education and space that can currently be safe for trans youth and trans athletes,” said Borodey. “We’re demanding the government put a stop to their ideological agenda before they cause further damage.”

Bill 26, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, would prohibit health-care professionals from performing any gender-affirming surgeries on minors 17 years-old and under, as well as prohibit hormone therapy drugs for those under 15.

Bill 27, the Education Amendment Act, would require school staff to get parental consent before agreeing to a student’s request to change their preferred name, gender identity or pronouns if a student is 15 years old or younger, and parents are to be notified for children aged 16 and 17.

Bill 29, the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, would restrict female athletes who are transgender from competing against girls born as biological females. It would require provincial sports organizations, post-secondaries and independent sports leagues to create eligibility guidelines in amateur competitive sports.

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