The Alberta government will interfere in a court case in Saskatchewan surrounding gender pronoun policies. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By David Opinko

Alberta to intervene in Saskatchewan’s gender pronoun court case

Apr 10, 2024 | 10:15 AM

The Government of Alberta is standing by its neighbour to the east on the matter of gender pronoun policies.

Saskatchewan’s government recently introduced the Parents’ Bill of Rights, which, among other provisions, will require parental consent for children under the age of 16 who want to use a different name or pronoun at school than what they were assigned at birth.

UR Pride, a 2SLGBTQ+ group in Regina, has challenged the law, arguing that the Bill infringes on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Alberta’s Justice Minister and Solicitor General Mickey Amery is now seeking intervener status in the case.

He, along with his Saskatchewan counterpart, Bronwyn Eyre, will advance legal arguments that Saskatchewan’s use of section 33 of the Charter (the Parliamentary Supremacy Clause) should have prevented that province’s Court of King’s Bench from reviewing the constitutionality of the Parent’s Bill of Rights.

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Amery and Eyre say this case has the potential to impact not only parental rights across Canada, but also the application of the application of the Parliamentary Supremacy Clause.

“Saskatchewan and Alberta agree that the key figures in children’s lives are their parents, and our provinces are both committed to supporting families and children so that they can work through unique needs together,” say Amery and Eyre in a joint statement.

The continue, “Notifying parents and requiring their consent before a child’s name or pronouns can be changed in schools, and before classroom discussions about gender identity and other sensitive subjects occur, ensures that the parent-child relationship is respected and paramount.”

Back in February, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced her own similar policies on gender pronouns for youths, arguing that they are necessary to protect young Albertans.

The policy is expected to be introduced later this year.

READ MORE: Alberta Premier Smith says new transgender youth policy arriving this fall, critics call it damaging