Premier's Bold Radio Show Statements

In a fiery appearance on the Your Province, Your Premier radio show on Saturday, Premier Danielle Smith tackled the contentious issue of the notwithstanding clause. A recently leaked memo suggests that the Alberta government is gearing up to use this clause to modify three laws affecting transgender youth.

Why the Notwithstanding Clause?

During the broadcast, host Wayne Nelson pressed Smith on the necessity of deploying the notwithstanding clause, questioning whether it infringes upon fundamental rights. Smith defended her decision, asserting a belief that her administration's case for amending these laws would succeed in court; however, she expressed concern over the length of the legal process.

Urgency for Protection

"What we’re asking our internal legal team to assess is the timeframe for going through the court process compared to the immediate measures needed to protect kids today," she explained. "We haven't made a final decision yet, but these discussions are crucial right now."

The Legal Battle Over Bill 26

Central to this debate is Bill 26, which bans the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender and gender-diverse minors. Earlier this year, advocacy groups like Egale Canada and Stepping Stone secured a temporary injunction against this bill, highlighting ongoing legal struggles.

Community Outrage

In reaction to the leaked memo, Lindsay Peace, co-executive director of Skipping Stone, criticized the government’s stance. "Our community has tirelessly communicated the pain this legislation inflicts. Instead of listening to those harmed, they seem committed to pushing a harmful agenda on our children," she declared.

Smith's Resolve to Fight

Smith, unyielding in her convictions, stated, "I'm ready to battle this in court. If it's based on sound evidence, I firmly believe we can argue that medical interventions resulting in sterilization for minors should not occur. It's a clear moral stance for me." She emphasized that using hormone blockers effectively sterilizes children, framing the issue as one of ethics and responsibility.