Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has come under widespread criticism for the measures from transgender advocates and medical experts.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
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.
