Alberta's Ban on Gender-Affirming Healthcare: Impacts and Implications

The Alberta government, led by Premier Danielle Smith, has enacted legislation banning gender-affirming healthcare for youth aged 15 and younger. This includes prohibiting access to puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy for the treatment of gender dysphoria, with limited exceptions. In 2024, the organizations Skipping Stone and Egale Canada challenged this legislation in court, securing a temporary injunction based on claims that the ban would cause irreparable harm. However, in December 2025, the Alberta government invoked the notwithstanding clause to protect Bill 26 and two additional anti-2SLGBTQIA+ bills (Bills 27 and 29) from judicial review for five years.

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Premier Smith has defended the ban by asserting that it aligns with a "science-based approach," referencing findings from the controversial Cass Review in the United Kingdom, which recommended limiting the prescription of puberty blockers. Following this review, the National Health Service in England restricted access to these treatments, leading to the closure of the Tavistock Clinic, the only specialized youth gender clinic in the U.K. at that time. However, data from England's National Child Mortality Database indicates a troubling rise in suicides among trans youth, increasing from five in 2019 to 22 in 2021-22, coinciding with the closure of the Tavistock Clinic.

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Research from other jurisdictions highlights the negative consequences of restricting access to gender-affirming care. A 2024 study in the United States, which analyzed data from 61,000 trans and non-binary youth, found that anti-trans laws were linked to a 72% increase in suicide attempts. Conversely, a 2025 study indicated that hormone therapy significantly reduced suicidality among youth. In Canada, ongoing research since 2024 has revealed that 56% of parents of trans and gender-diverse youth in Alberta reported a deterioration in their child's mental health following the ban.

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The negative effects of the legislation extend beyond individual health outcomes. Reports indicate an increase in bullying and harassment of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, with 95.6% of surveyed parents believing that the current hostile environment is a direct result of the Alberta legislation. Families have noted declines in public support from neighbors, schools, and community organizations, further exacerbating the challenges faced by trans youth.

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The evidence suggests that the Alberta government's ban on gender-affirming care is detrimental to the mental health and well-being of trans and gender-diverse youth. Critics argue that the government is selectively interpreting scientific evidence to justify its policies, rather than engaging with the full spectrum of research that supports the benefits of gender-affirming care. As similar legislative trends emerge in other provinces, the implications of Alberta's actions could resonate beyond its borders, raising critical questions about the future of healthcare access for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth across Canada.

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• “If we want to take a science-based approach, we’ve got to use the best information available.” — Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

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• “6 per cent of parents and caregivers believe the current negative climate for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth is directly related to the Alberta legislation.” — Parent of a trans youth

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While the Alberta government cites the Cass Review as justification for its ban, critics highlight a lack of comprehensive engagement with existing research that supports gender-affirming care. Discrepancies exist regarding the interpretation of evidence, particularly concerning the mental health outcomes of youth affected by such legislation.

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