Today, on the first day of school, Egale Canada and Skipping Stone filed a constitutional challenge against Alberta’s Education Amendment Act, 2024 (Bill 27) specifically the new law’s requirements for parental notification when students request the use of new names or pronouns to reflect their gender identity, and for parental consent for use of new names and pronouns for students under age 16.

These measures put trans and gender-diverse students at risk and violate their rights, safety, and dignity.

The legal team is comprised of Bennett Jensen and Eric Freeman of Egale Canada, together with Kara Smyth, Adam Goldenberg, Ljiljana Stanic, and Leah Strand of McCarthy Tétrault LLP. 

Today’s legal action is part of a broader fight: in December 2024, Alberta passed Bills 26, 27, and 29—laws rooted in fear and misinformation that target 2SLGBTQI youth. Egale has already challenged similar harmful legislation and policy in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, and we remain committed to defending the rights of gender-diverse people across Canada. 

Learn more: egale.ca/egale-v-alberta-pronouns