Today (November 18, 2025), the Government of Alberta introduced Bill 9, invoking the notwithstanding clause to shield three previously introduced laws from constitutional scrutiny. These laws would:  

• Deny youth access to gender-affirming health care
• Erase 2SLGBTQI identities from public schools
• Ban trans girls and women from participating in girls and women’s sports 

Never before has a government in Canada launched such a broad attack against members of 2SLGBTQI communities; to use the notwithstanding clause to strip Charter protections for gender diverse youth is unconscionable. Alberta has overreached into the private lives of its citizens and is now limiting the courts’ ability to hold it accountable for violating the Charter.

All Albertans, and all Canadians, should be outraged. Everyone deserves access to health care, the chance to participate in community life, and the right to live authentically. 

This is not the first time Alberta has used this clause to try to deny 2SLGBTQI rights. In 2000, the province invoked it in an attempt to block marriage equality. That effort failed, and now, during Trans Awareness Week, a time where our communities are honouring trans lives, Alberta is choosing to attack them. 

Egale will not give up. We will use every tool possible to protect our communities.

We are urgently preparing our next phase of legal action and need your support. 

Thank you for standing with us.

- Egale Canada