Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s impending legislation concerning parental rights is poised to make waves across Canada. 

Set to be introduced on Wednesday, the legislation could emerge as one of the strongest in the country, addressing the contentious issue of who holds the rights over children’s gender identity expression in schools – the parents or the educators.

To date, the United Conservative Party staffers have remained tight-lipped about the proposed bill. 

It wouldn’t be surprising if Smith’s proposed legislation includes the issue of whether men who identify as women can participate in women’s sports, or if surgeries and treatments for minors under the banner of “gender-affirming care” are outright banned.

In anticipation of the legislation, the Alberta Teachers Association recently expressed frustration over not being consulted on the upcoming changes. This is very, very good news.

The Alberta Teacher’s Association’s opinions on which hormones should be administered to children is completely irrelevant. 

Premier Smith has already indicated she believes in having a strong emphasis on family involvement in educational decisions, particularly concerning personal and sensitive matters like gender identity.

At the UCP convention in November, Smith said “Parents are the primary caregivers and educators of their children.” Of all the issues discussed at the two-day event, this statement garnered the loudest applause from party delegates.

Alberta NDP members have quite predictably voiced their concerns over the pending bill, accusing Smith of potentially targeting vulnerable children. 

Moreover, the NDP’s federal counterpart recently said that “trans kids” are one of the most vulnerable groups in Canada and even promoted giving them quick access to puberty blockers. 

Of course, not everyone accepts the concept of “trans kids,” especially given the fact that most minors who believe they are in the wrong body later realize they were simply confused. 

Moreover, a recent study suggests that giving puberty blockers to “trans kids” may lower their IQ, along with several other negative effects — including making them sterile.

Another recent study revealed that transgender women (biological males) who take “gender-affirming” hormones face a 95% higher risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

Conservative wave in Canada 

The upcoming legislation could also mirror similar policies in Saskatchewan, which have already faced backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates. These policies require parental consent for children under 16 to use different names or pronouns at school.

In October 2023, the Saskatchewan Party government introduced the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” in the provincial legislature, invoking the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Constitution to empower parents as the primary decision-makers in their children’s education.

Notably, the bill asserts that if a student is under 16 years of age, parental consent must be obtained before teachers and school employees use the pupil’s new gender-swapped name or gender identity at school. 

Moreover, the federal Conservatives made some significant changes to their constitution in September, including protecting female spaces and sports from biological men, and banning life altering medicinal or surgical interventions on minors under 18 to treat gender confusion or dysphoria.

Majority believe parents have a right to know

A July poll by Angus Reid shows that 86% of those surveyed believe parents have the right to know when their child wants to be identified with different pronouns. 

50% of parents believe parents have the right to know and must give consent to pronoun changes on their children. 

The Counter Signal will be the best place to find news on this subject tomorrow afternoon. Be sure to subscribe here to stay up to date.