NOV 4: Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce Position on Bill 29 – Fairness and Safety in Sport Act

Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce Opposes Proposed Legislation Letter to the Premier October 25, 2024

The Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce is firmly opposed to Bill 29 – Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, as this legislation fails to promote true fairness or safety. Rather, it enforces restrictive policies that harm the trans and gender-diverse community and directly misaligns with the Chamber’s mandate to foster economic growth and prosperity through an inclusive environment that supports and advocates for all Albertans.

Policies that ban trans individuals erode the inclusive environment Alberta’s economy needs to thrive. By banning the full participation of trans and gender-diverse athletes, this bill signals that Alberta is unwelcoming to diversity, a stance that weakens workforce resilience, hinders talent attraction, and impedes business growth. Alberta’s economic future depends on a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that all residents can contribute fully to our economy and communities.

Under Bill 29, “in-scope organizations [must] establish, implement, and maintain policies” to limit eligibility for female-only divisions to “female-born athletes.” This requirement, set to take effect in Fall 2025, is described as ensuring “women and girls have the opportunity to compete in biological female-only leagues and divisions.” However, it ultimately bans inclusive participation by excluding gender-diverse teams and athletes, undermining both social cohesion and Alberta’s economic objectives.

An example of how Bill 29 will impact Alberta’s economy is its effect on the tourism industry, which generated $10.7 billion in 2022. The global 2SLGBTQI+ travel market, valued at $200 billion USD annually, and Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ travelers alone spend $12 billion each year, highlighting the economic potential of inclusive policies. Policies like Bill 29 could reduce Alberta’s share of this market, impacting local businesses and tourism revenue. By enforcing bans on inclusive participation, Alberta risks losing inclusive sports leagues and tournaments to other destinations, resulting in lost revenue for Alberta’s hospitality, retail, and tourism sectors.

Furthermore, Alberta’s reputation as a welcoming province for Indigenous tourism is impacted, as policies like Bill 29 create barriers for two-spirit athletes, limiting their full participation and deterring visitors who value respectful representation of Indigenous identities in sport. This stance is at odds with Alberta’s goal to attract diverse visitors seeking an inclusive experience of Indigenous culture.

The Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce urges the government to reject Bill 29 – Fairness and Safety in Sport Act. We support policies that reflect genuine fairness, inclusivity, and economic resilience, fostering a competitive and culturally rich Alberta. Our Chamber stands ready to work with policymakers to build an Alberta where all individuals, including two-spirit and gender-diverse athletes, can thrive and contribute to a strong economy.

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