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
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.
'Oh, there you go': Tyler Black, son of veteran broadcaster Rod Black, has memorable Major League Baseball debut
Canadian baseball player Tyler Black made a major splash in his first-ever big league game for the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
Groundbreaking American guitarist Duane Eddy dies age 86
Guitarist Duane Eddy, best known for twangy riffs on hits such as 'Rebel Rouser' and 'Cannonball,' has died at the age of 86.
Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like
Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
Weight-loss drug Wegovy available in Canada starting May 6
The makers of Ozempic say their weight-loss drug Wegovy will be available to patients in Canada starting Monday.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Ontario man loses $1,500 applying for Nexus cards on social media
The trusted traveller program between Canada and the United States is extremely popular and almost two million Canadians have a Nexus card.