Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says using the notwithstanding clause to shield her government’s transgender health restrictions is on the table as a “last resort.”
A provincial law will ban doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16. A surgical prohibition already in effect will halt gender-affirming “top” surgeries for minors.
Speaking on her radio call-in show this weekend, Smith said she is willing to invoke the notwithstanding clause, a measure that allows governments to override certain Charter rights for up to five years.
“Because I feel so strongly about protecting kids’ right to preserve their fertility until they’re adults, we would, as a last resort, have to use the notwithstanding clause.”
The wording around “preserving their fertility” just feels creepy on top of the transphobia to me.
Are they going the extra mile to prevent children from being exposed to reproductive toxins because she feels so strongly about it? Make sure no child can be exposed to heavy metals or industrial solvents for example, that on the table?