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By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Judge grants Alberta government appeal to lift injunction on law preventing youth from accessing gender-affirming care

Dec 19, 2025 | 10:46 AM

A judge has granted an Alberta government appeal to lift an injunction on a law preventing youth from accessing gender-affirming care.

Two advocacy groups, Egale and Skipping Stone, launched earlier this year a challenge over the law, which prohibits doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to those under 16.

A judge later granted the injunction, and the province filed an appeal.

The government has said the gender health-care law is necessary to protect youth from making potentially life-altering medical decisions they may later regret.

Justice ministry spokesperson Heather Jenkins says the United Conservative Party government is pleased the injunction has been removed.

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Earlier this month, Premier Danielle Smith’s government invoked the notwithstanding clause to shield the law, along with two others affecting transgender people, from court challenge.

The advocacy groups say they plan to apply for another injunction based on criminal law, as well as continue challenges on two other laws policing names and pronouns at school and transgender athletes in amateur female sports.

(The Canadian Press)