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Part of New and proposed legislation

Advancing policies to support the health care system

Bill 26 preserved choice for minors identifying as transgender and continued the work to refocus the health care system.

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Status: Bill 26 was passed on December 3, 2024 with Royal Assent on December 5, 2024

Ministry responsible: Health

Overview

Bill 26, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, built a health care system that responds to the changing needs of Albertans. 

Bill 26 enabled government to implement policies to preserve choice for minors identifying as transgender while continuing to refocus the health care system.

Key changes

The Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, amended the following acts.

  • Health Professions Act

    The amendments:

    • prohibited regulated health professionals from performing sex reassignment surgeries on minors
    • prohibited regulated health professionals from prescribing hormone replacement therapies including puberty blockers to minors for the treatment of gender dysphoria or gender incongruence, except in accordance with the exceptions set out by the Minister of Health 
      • exceptions were made for minors aged 16 and 17 with parental, physician and psychologist approval, and for minors who have already been prescribed hormone replacement therapies to treat gender dysphoria or gender incongruence
    • provided additional definitions to the Act to provide clarity in the legislation

  • Provincial Health Agencies Act

    The amendments:

    • allowed Alberta Health Services to transition to an acute care service delivery provider
    • enabled provincial health agencies to establish a patient concerns resolution process to support the diverse needs of patients and improve care for all Albertans
    • laid the groundwork for the new health agencies to begin operations
    • enabled work to continue on the acute care provincial health agency

  • Public Health Act

    The amendments:

    • introduced a preamble to the act and clarify the definition of what constitutes a public health emergency

  • Health Information Act

    The amendments:

    • designated the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services as a custodian that would enable the ministry to access information to improve health service planning and delivery

Next steps

Health Professions Act 

  • The prohibition on regulated health professionals performing sex reassignment surgery on minors came into effect upon Royal Assent.
  • The prohibition on regulated health professionals prescribing hormone therapies to minors for the treatment of gender dysphoria or gender incongruence came into effect in early 2025.
    • A Ministerial Order outlined exemptions for minors aged 16 and 17 with parental, physician and psychologist approval, and for minors who have already been prescribed hormone replacement therapies to treat gender dysphoria or gender incongruence

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