Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce Opposes Proposed Legislation Letter to the Premier

Letter to the Premier

We are the Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce. We seek to empower the diverse and entrepreneurial spirit of Albertans, representing inclusive businesses across Alberta, and our members employ Albertans in every riding across our beautiful province. Our mandate is to help build a strong Alberta economy supported by, and supportive of, diverse communities.

We are writing to you to underline our opposition to your government’s expressed intentions to introduce legislation in this upcoming session that will see rights taken away from transgender and gender diverse youth in Alberta. We take the position that the legislation you intend to pass will be harmful to a group of vulnerable youth who simply want to be accepted for who they are. Freedom from government overreach and the right to make one’s own medical and personal choices is an Albertan value your Government has espoused, and a key mechanism to foster inclusivity both in our economy and in our province. We submit that the government does not belong in any conversation around pronoun usage or an individual’s choice to identify as transgender or gender diverse. We further believe that patients, doctors, and parents are best equipped to make medical decisions, including the prescription of puberty blockers or hormone therapies. Additionally, we support the right of people of all ages to participate in the sports team of their choice, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and individual freedoms. As a community of business owners, employers, producers, and taxpayers, we view personal and economic rights and freedoms as paramount to a healthy society. We believe that youth should have the right to control who they are openly gender diverse around, as this can often be a matter of safety.

Alberta is a great province to start a business and raise a family, but only to the extent that Alberta remains an inclusive and attractive place for everyone to build a future. Last year, Alberta welcomed 202,324 new residents. Our Chamber recognizes the great opportunity that this represents for the future of our province. With that said, currently Alberta’s unemployment rate sits at 7.7%, and we believe that the Government of Alberta needs to be laser-focused on attracting and maintaining new talent and investment. National data shows that 2SLGBTQI+ businesses contribute over $22 billion and support 435,000 jobs across Canada, underscoring the economic importance of this community. Policies targeting transgender youth affect the broader 2SLGBTQI+ population, threatening Alberta’s image and ability to attract businesses and workers. 

The economic risks extend beyond lost talent to Alberta’s tourism industry. According to the Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, 2SLGBTQI+ tourism spending represents a significant share of local economies, supporting Alberta’s vibrant arts, hospitality, and retail sectors. By passing anti-transgender legislation, Alberta risks becoming less attractive to 2SLGBTQI+ tourists, who contribute to these key industries. This negative climate has already emboldened discrimination, as our members report increased hate incidents and targeted harassment against Queer businesses.

Furthermore, research shows that transgender youth face alarmingly high rates of mental health struggles. In Alberta, 65% of transgender youth report considering suicide, a rate significantly reduced when youth have access to gender-affirming healthcare and supportive environments (Centre for Suicide Prevention). Policies that affirm and protect youth save lives, making their implementation essential.

We urge your government to reconsider any planned legislation that would restrict the rights of transgender and gender-diverse Albertans. Our Chamber stands ready to work proactively with your government to build policies that respect individual freedoms, protect Alberta’s economic strength, and ensure that our province remains an attractive place for all.

The Board of Directors
Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce

Nicholas Rheubottom
Executive Director
Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce

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