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Alberta.ca Account
Part of New and proposed legislation

Protecting youth, supporting parents, and safeguarding female sport

The Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act invokes the notwithstanding clause to protect kids, families and fair play.

Bill 9 received Royal Assent on December 11, 2025

Ministry responsible: Justice

Overview

Alberta’s government believes invoking the notwithstanding clause through the Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act, is a necessary measure. It will:

  • preserve the future choices of children and youth
  • strengthen the role of parents as their child’s primary caregiver
  • ensure fairness and safety in amateur competitive sports

Key changes

The Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act invokes the notwithstanding clauses in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Alberta Bill of Rights and Alberta Human Rights Act to ensure the following laws cannot be struck down by the courts:

  • sections of the Health Professions Act that prohibit both gender reassignment surgery for children under 18 and the provision of puberty blockers and hormone treatments for the purpose of gender reassignment to children under 16
  • sections of the Education Act that require schools to provide notice to parents when a student wishes to change their name or pronouns for reasons related to their gender identity, and obtain parental consent before school staff can use the new name or pronouns if the student is under 16, and require parental opt-in consent to teaching on gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality
  • the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act and regulation, which require the governing bodies of amateur competitive sports in Alberta to implement policies that limit participation in women’s and girls’ sports to those who were born female

Next steps

The Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act took effect on Royal Assent on December 11, 2025.

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