Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter
Provincial Politics

Alberta judge grants injunction blocking a transgender health-care bill

Jun 27, 2025 | 5:06 PM

An Alberta judge has put on hold a provincial law that bans doctors from providing gender-affirming care to youth.

Justice Allison Kuntz, in a written judgment, has issued a temporary injunction against the law, saying it raises serious issues that need to be hashed out in court.

Kuntz says a temporary stop to the law is needed to prevent what she calls “irreparable harm” coming to young patients while the issue is debated.

The law, passed late last year but not fully in effect, would have prevented doctors from providing treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy to those under 16.

Kuntz says denying access to this care could force youth to experience permanent physical changes that don’t match their gender identity.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups took the case to court, while Premier Danielle Smith has said she believes the legislation is needed to protect young people from making permanent, life-altering decisions.

Naheed Nenshi, MLA-Elect for Edmonton-Strathcona issued the following statement in response:

“Today is a great day for young Albertans who simply want to live authentically and safely.

“We are pleased to hear the news the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta has ruled to block Danielle Smith and her UCP government’s attempts to restrict the freedoms of parents, medical professionals, and children under Bill 26 by banning certain forms of care.

“The court has determined what we already knew, that this ban could cause irreparable harm to gender diverse young Albertans.

“This was never about doing the right thing: it was always about demonizing vulnerable kids to boost Danielle Smith’s political fortunes. It was always wrong and almost certainly unconstitutional.

“This UCP government needs to commit to providing all youth, including gender diverse youth, the care and respect they deserve, just like all Albertans.

(With files from rdnewsNOW)

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.