Alberta committed to reviewing treatment of trans youth, Smith says in exclusive interview
Premier Danielle Smith is committing to a review into the treatment of trans youth in Alberta.
In an exclusive interview with CTV News Edmonton on Monday, the premier said a study out of the United Kingdom, the Cass Review, echoes some of her concerns in regards to a lack of scientific rigor when it comes to puberty blockers.
Smith's policies will ban puberty blockers and hormone therapy under the age of 16 and restrict any gender reassignment surgery under the age of 18.
"I don't think you should be doing medical experiments with children when it involves their fertility," Smith said.
"The caution in this case makes far more sense than rushing because the consequences are so serious."
Dr. Hilary Cass also suggests caution in her 388-page report where she makes 32 recommendations calling for more research, assessments, national oversight and planning.
She does not recommend a ban of puberty blockers or hormone therapy under 16 years old. Instead, Dr. Cass writes, "There should be a clear clinical rationale for providing hormones at this stage rather than waiting until an individual reaches 18."
Smith said the Alberta government needs to do its own review.
'Flawed and biased'
Dr. Kris Wells, MacEwan Universities' Canada Research Chair for the Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth, said the U.K. report is "flawed and biased" and called on Premier Smith to rescind her proposed policies.
"Absolutely we would welcome more funding for research but it needs to be at arm's length and independent from government," Wells told CTV News Edmonton.
"It needs to be by people who have the expertise, who have the training and the knowledge, and it needs to include trans people."
When asked why she introduced these policies, and whether potential far-right support played a role, Smith said "parents have been asking for it."
"This is not about right wing versus left wing, it's about right and wrong," the premier added.
"We know exactly why the premier has introduced these policy proposals," Dr. Wells said. "Because she's trying to appease a far-right base that she believes is in her best interests with an upcoming leadership review in the province of Alberta."
Dr. Wells also questions why the premier is following medical advice from overseas when many Canadian health organizations, including the Alberta Medical Association and the Canadian Paediatric Society, have spoken out against her policies.
"The premier is just trying to find evidence to fit her ideology instead of listening to all the Canadian medical associations," he said.
More details around the policies including possible consequences for doctors and teachers who fail to follow the rules are coming this fall, Smith said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978604.1721996942!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Paris Olympics begin with unique opening ceremony along the Seine
The Paris Summer Olympics officially get underway today with a unique opening ceremony. Instead of marching into a stadium, representatives from more than 200 competing countries will enter the Games on boats along the River Seine.
BREAKING Canada Soccer head investigating 'systemic ethical shortcoming' amid spying scandal
Canada Soccer chief executive officer Kevin Blue said he was investigating a potential 'systemic ethical shortcoming' within the program but has not considered pulling the women's soccer team from the Paris Olympics due to a drone spying scandal.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.
DEVELOPING Trudeau, with Australian and New Zealand PMs, pen letter renewing ceasefire calls for Gaza
Prime ministers of Canada, New Zealand and Australia released a letter renewing calls for an “urgent ceasefire” in Gaza on Friday morning.
Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics
Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that sabotage and arson that hit key parts of France's high speed rail network on the eve of the Olympics had 'a clear objective: blocking the high speed train network.'
Latest updates on wildfires in Jasper National Park: Rain, cooler weather limiting spread
Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park.
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Sunken treasure: Is the champagne nestled in a 19th-century shipwreck still fit for a toast?
A team of Polish divers has discovered the wreckage of an old sailing ship loaded “to the brim” with luxury goods including porcelain items and about 100 bottles of Champagne and mineral water about 58 meters (190 feet) deep off the Swedish coast.
opinion 'Deadpool and Wolverine' review: A love letter to a bygone era
'Deadpool and Wolverine' is a showcase for the bromance stylings of its stars, who pull out all the stops to cap Fox's Marvel movies.