EDMONTON – Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) are calling on the UCP government to put an immediate stop to its attack on trans rights in Alberta.
According to the legislation introduced last week, Bill 26 prohibits gender reassignment surgery and drug therapy for all minors, while Bill 27 introduces restrictions in schools that will impact both trans- and cisgender students.
Bill 29 lays the groundwork for schools and sports organizations to implement trans-exclusive eligibility requirements for sports while protecting these organizations from future liability.
AUPE Vice President Bobby-Joe Borodey, who also chairs the union’s Human Rights Committee, said this is a blatant violation of the rights and freedoms of trans people in Alberta. She added it will also have adverse effects on AUPE members who directly work with trans youth and increases the risk of hostile work environments.
“We are speaking out against these extremely disturbing actions by the UCP government,” Borodey said. “AUPE members are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, we are allies, parents and workers who deliver public services with dignity and respect to all Albertans – this legislation hurts us all.”
For example, AUPE members in education – such as educational assistants working for Living Waters Catholic Separate School Division, may be faced with a choice to support trans students and use their preferred names and pronouns without notifying parents, or before parental consent is attained. This could lead to disciplinary measures.
While some health care workers may not directly face these situations, they will almost certainly be exposed to potentially upsetting working environments as trans youth are denied necessary treatment.
“Instead of addressing the province’s health care and affordability crisis, Premier Danielle Smith has chosen to wage an attack on some of Alberta’s most vulnerable populations by restricting their access to health care, education, and spaces that can currently be safe for trans youth and trans athletes,” Borodey said. “We’re demanding the government put a stop to their ideological agenda before they cause further damage.”
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AUPE Vice President Bobby-Joe Borodey is available for media interviews.