Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Ottawa as Liberals decry 'draconian' policies

Smith questioned on gender policies in Ottawa Danielle Smith's visit to Ottawa on Monday was met with criticism over gender policies. Chelan Skulski reports.

OTTAWA — Amid accusations from the federal Liberals that she's pushing an anti-LGBTQ agenda, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith defended her new suite of policies on transgender youth during a visit to Ottawa on Monday.

Smith announced last week that her United Conservative Party government would ban puberty blockers and hormone therapy for children 15 and younger who have not already begun those treatments.

Her government plans to require that parents give their consent for kids 15 and under to go by a different name or pronoun at school. Teenagers aged 16 and 17 would be able to make such changes without permission, but schools would have to notify their guardians.

The policies have spurred several days of protest.

At an event to mark the opening of a new provincial office near Parliament Hill, Smith suggested there is no "single voice" that can speak on behalf of the entire transgender community.

She said has spoken to some transgender people who expressed concerns about children's ability to transition.

Smith defended the package of proposals as part of a "considered approach" she wants to take when it comes to children with diverse gender identities.

The goal is to ensure children are "fully informed" about the decisions they are making in the event they may regret them later in life, she said.

"We had to have a conversation about what is the appropriate ages to be able to make those life-altering decisions."

Earlier in the day, Liberal Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault said he requested a meeting with Smith to discuss the proposed changes.

Boissonnault, who is openly gay and the only Liberal cabinet minister from Alberta, said Smith is pushing "draconian" measures on some of the province's most vulnerable youth.

After some back-and-forth between their respective offices, the pair were expected to meet Monday afternoon.

The federal government's ability to ask for a Supreme Court reference on any use of the notwithstanding clause by provinces is an "important legal tool," Boissonnault noted.

"We will be playing very close attention to see what's in Premier Smith's legislation, which I hope never makes it to the floor of the (legislature)," he said.

Asked about Smith's policy at a news conference Monday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said: "Let parents raise kids and provinces run schools and hospitals."

He did not specifically address Smith's proposals. His comments come after his office told MPs last week to "refrain" from making any comment about Alberta's specific measures, and to "flag" any media requests they receive to the office.

In Toronto, Ontario Premier Doug Ford signalled that his government would not follow Alberta in restricting the availability of surgeries and treatments for transgender youth.

"No. We have a law here and we’re leaving everything alone," he said, echoing previous remarks from the province's health minister.

Local advocates in Ottawa, meanwhile, were organizing an "emergency" protest downtown later Monday in light of Smith's visit to the capital.

The Alberta government office Smith opened in Ottawa is intended to help advance the province's priorities and fortify federal-provincial ties, the Alberta government said in a news release.

It said the office would "help create stronger relationships with governments in Ottawa and across Canada while increasing the province's advocacy on matters of importance to Albertans."

Smith was also expected to give a luncheon speech to members of the Economic Club of Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2024.