(The following is a modified transcription of a graphic I have previously shared on Instagram on September 18, 2025.)
This is unprecedented.
Danielle Smith’s far-right UCP government is now stating that the rights of trans youth and trans women should cease to exist.
By using the notwithstanding clause, Alberta is hoping to prevent its anti-trans laws — rooted uniquely in anti-trans prejudice — from being challenged in court. This also means that trans youth’s healthcare in Alberta will be imminently at risk, as it would overturn the Alberta Court of King’s Bench injunction in Égale Canada v Alberta.
This information has only been made public thanks to a leaked memo. Alberta’s planning on introducing this unprecedented measure at the Legislative Assembly at the end of October. Leaked. Does this give you confidence in Alberta’s government?
Kids will die.
The purpose of this legislation is extremely clear. It is to remove trans people from Alberta — whether through not transitioning, moving to other Canadian provinces or territories, detransitioning, or suicide. Alberta is already the most dangerous province for trans people in Canada, in particular because of its gender-affirming healthcare ban. Yet, it intends to make it even less safe — through potential bathroom bills, ID change bans, and other (currently speculated or leaked) attacks on trans existence. It is nothing less than fascist, or Trumpian.
This is a prime example of necropolitics — conferring, by legislative fiat, the status of subhumanity to every trans person in Alberta. And… Alberta knows that its laws will kill trans people. Hence why the notwithstanding clause becomes necessary: it’s a weapon of death.
Down with the UCP.