NOV 4: The Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes Bill 26 – Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (02)

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

The Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes Bill 26 – Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (02), which introduces prohibitive measures that compromise the rights and well-being of transgender and gender-diverse minors. Under the Act:

“Regulated members” under the Health Professions Act (HPA) are prohibited from performing “any sex reassignment surgery on minors in Alberta” and are also restricted from “prescribing hormone therapy drugs, such as puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapies, for treatment of gender dysphoria or incongruence in minors, unless permitted through Ministerial Order.”

This legislation effectively limits healthcare providers’ ability to deliver gender-affirming care, disrupting the established standards of care for young individuals with gender dysphoria. Research demonstrates that transgender youth who access gender-affirming care experience a 60% reduction in depression and a 73% reduction in suicidality, with access to puberty blockers alone shown to lower suicidality risks significantly. Without such support, untreated gender dysphoria often leads to severe mental health issues that place an additional financial burden on Alberta’s healthcare system due to higher demand for emergency mental health services.

Restricting access to gender-affirming care not only places trans youth at risk but also contributes to a “talent drain,” as these individuals are likely to leave Alberta for provinces offering more supportive policies. This means that the resources invested in their education, health, and development are lost to other provinces, impacting Alberta’s long-term workforce and economic contributions.

Supporting transgender youth through gender-affirming care is not only a matter of health but also one of opportunity. By giving them the freedom to be their most authentic selves, we empower them to pursue their education and career goals in Alberta, ultimately contributing positively to Alberta’s economy. The Tools for Success: Models for Exemplary Student Mental Health Initiatives at Alberta Post-secondary Institutions toolkit, developed by Mount Royal University, reinforces the link between mental health and academic performance, showing that mental well-being significantly impacts educational outcomes. Limiting access to gender-affirming care risks diminishing these achievements, ultimately hindering workforce participation and productivity in Alberta.

One of the key contributors to Alberta’s economic growth has been interprovincial migration, attracting individuals in search of economic opportunities. However, policies like Bill 26 risk undermining Alberta’s attractiveness, deterring skilled workers and families who value inclusivity and may now see Alberta as misaligned with their values.

By mandating government oversight into complex healthcare decisions, Bill 26 introduces inefficiencies that require additional taxpayer resources. This creates unnecessary costs for an already strained system, with oversight requirements in a specialized field where the government lacks the necessary expertise, ultimately detracting from Alberta’s economic efficiency.

Additionally, the Act requires Ministerial approval for exceptions, even for 16- and 17-year-olds with parental, physician, and psychologist approval, introducing government oversight into personal medical decisions. The Chamber believes these decisions are best made within the private patient-provider relationship, guided by trusted clinical expertise rather than government mandates.

Policies that curtail inclusion may deter not only families of trans youth but also other families who value inclusivity and seek environments that reflect their principles. Such policies risk positioning Alberta as out of step with the values of the majority of Canadians, deterring potential residents and further impacting Alberta’s reputation as a desirable place to live and work.


Alberta’s reputation within Canada is at stake. To remain a welcoming place to build a family and a business, Alberta must embrace inclusivity. The Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce envisions a province growing toward 10 million residents by 2050, founded on principles of inclusion. We urge the Government of Alberta to reconsider Bill 26 – Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (02) and pursue policies that respect individual freedoms and support a prosperous, welcoming Alberta for all.

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