Alberta premier ‘interested’ in UCP input on transgender policy

Premier Danielle Smith says she will listen to see how United Conservative Party (UCP) members want their government to treat trans Albertans.

There are 35 policy resolutions up for debate at the upcoming UCP annual general meeting, starting November 1 in Red Deer.

Resolutions include banning transgender people from women’s restrooms, banning gender markers on government documents and restricting public funding of medical treatment for transgender people.

However, the decisions are not binding for the government. Asked about today’s proposals, the Prime Minister said she would follow the debate with interest.

“I will watch and see what members would want from the government, but we always make sure that when we adopt a policy we go back and consult with stakeholders to see what the impact would be,” Smith said on Wednesday in Calgary.

“We look at it from the perspective of what would be constitutional and what is guided by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Bill of Rights.”

More than 5,400 members are expected at the UCP annual general meeting, which will also include a leadership review for Smith.

With files from Chelan Skulski of CTV News Edmonton