The Legislative Assembly of Alberta has passed a trio of bills that strengthen parental rights, promote fairness in sports, and prevent minors from undergoing irreversible gender transition procedures they may later regret.
Bill 26, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, Bill 27, the Education Amendment Act, and Bill 29, the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, each passed their third reading and will come into effect following royal proclamation, expected on Sept. 1, 2025.
The three bills were among the 13 bills the Alberta government plans to introduce in this legislative session. The remaining bills focus on personal autonomy, property rights, and legal firearm ownership.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith previously highlighted that the legislation would protect youth.
“The changes we’re introducing are founded on compassion and science, both of which are vital for the development of youth throughout a time that can be difficult and confusing,” she said.
At an unrelated press conference on Thursday, Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides said he challenged the opposition to provide evidence and facts to support their claims against introducing the legislation.
“They weren’t able to do that. All they’ve been able to do, and all they continue to do is fearmonger, project misinformation, and offer conjecture,” he said.
Bill 27 requires parental consent for children aged 15 and under to change their name, gender, and pronouns at school. Sixteen and 17-year-olds will not need parental consent, but their parents will be notified of any changes.
Parents currently can opt their children out of the sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum. The legislative changes will require parents to have to opt them in.
Former NDP Leader Rachel Notley claimed that the legislative changes breach the Charter and other fundamental human rights.
“Today I watched as this legislature sunk to its lowest point ever,” wrote Notley in a post to X. “Trans rights are human rights, and the UCP cares nothing for either.”
Nicolaides said that the changes will ensure parents are granted the final decision regarding their child’s education.
“The NDP continues with fear and conjecture that moving to an opt-in is going to result in a significantly more amount of people and children not receiving sex education. There’s no evidence to suggest or support that,” said Nicolaides. “In fact, the opposite is true.”
Executive Director of Parents for Choice in Education, John Hilton-O’Brien, previously criticized the Edmonton Public School Board’s motion opposing Smith for implementing parental rights policies.
“What they’re claiming is that a child’s right to privacy is against the parents and that they, as bureaucrats, could exercise that right. But in fact, the right of privacy is a claim against the state — and for the parents to exercise, not the bureaucrats,” said Hilton-O’Brien. “They’re flipping the very idea of human rights completely on its head.”
The Alberta government said that legislative amendments to ensure education continues during public health and states of emergencies will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
“Additional regulatory amendments will follow, to provide school administrators more clarity and guidance on expectations for learning during emergencies. These would come into force at the same time as the legislative amendments, except for certain sections regarding school authority policies, which would come into effect on Sept. 1, 2025,” reads a statement from the Alberta government. “Further information regarding regulatory changes will be shared following the passage of the legislation.”