We, the undersigned, urge the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) to take a stand against proposed legislation that would restrict access to essential gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-diverse youth in Alberta.

Premier Danielle Smith’s policy proposals include banning puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones for youth under the age of 16, banning gender-affirming “top” and “bottom” surgeries for youth under the age of 18, imposing invasive requirements for parental approval, and forcibly outing any trans or gender diverse youth who disclose their gender identity in school to their parents. These measures threaten to undermine professional medical judgment and deny necessary care to vulnerable youth.

Our Key Concerns:

• Patient-Physician Autonomy: These proposals interfere with the essential trust and decision-making process between doctors and their patients, and would, at times, force physicians to act against their own professional obligations.
• Evidence-Based Care: Decades of research affirm the benefits of gender-affirming treatments for youth. Denying these treatments ignores established medical standards and harms the mental and physical well-being of transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
• Human Rights: Denying care based on gender identity violates the rights of transgender and gender-diverse youth as protected by the Alberta and Canadian Human Rights Acts.

Our Appeal to CPSA:

By signing this petition, you support the call for CPSA to:

1. Publicly Oppose the Proposed Legislation: Make a clear statement that physicians in Alberta would be unable to adhere to laws that violate the principles of ethical and patient-centered care.
2. Protect Evidence-Based Medical Standards: Ensure that physicians are not compelled to follow laws that compromise or contradict evidence-based patient care.
3. Advocate for Human Rights: Recognize and actively oppose the discriminatory nature of these proposed policies to safeguard the dignity and health of transgender and gender-diverse youth.

It is the CPSA’s responsibility to protect both the professional integrity of physicians and the health and rights of all patients, including transgender and gender-diverse youth. Your signature adds to the collective voice advocating for the continuation of compassionate and ethical medical care in Alberta.

Read the full letter that will be sent to CPSA here.