‘Flagrant disregard for basic human rights’: ATA denounces Bill 9

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 22, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling says the province’s second, third and fourth uses of the notwithstanding clause in less than a month is a “flagrant disregard for basic human rights,” and says forcing Bill 9 into legislation will harm students instead of providing protection.

“Normalizing the use of the notwithstanding clause is a dangerous practice,” he said in a media release. “This overreaching of legislation will harm vulnerable students instead of providing a sense of protection.”

Under a new bill introduced by the UCP on Tuesday, three acts are expected to be passed into law surrounding transgender youth.

The Health Statutes Amendment Act seeks to prohibit gender reassignment surgery for children under 18 and the provision of puberty blockers and hormone treatments to children under 16.

The Education Amendment Act will require schools to obtain parental consent when a student under 16 wishes to change their preferred name or pronouns, and requires parental opt-in consent to attend lessons on gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality.

The Fairness and Safety in Sports Act will require all bodies of amateur competitive sports in the province to implement policies that limit participation in women’s and girls’ sports to only those born female.

Schilling says the ATA opposes the controversial new acts and any measure that requires teachers to disclose sensitive information about students’ identities.

“Schools are supposed to be safe spaces for students where they can be themselves,” he said. “Instead, vulnerable students will now risk rejection, punishment, or emotional harm because of this gross overstep of power.”

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