Carney vows to defend access to puberty blockers “without exception”
In a continuation of policies set by his predecessor, former PM Trudeau, Liberal Leader Mark Carney has vowed to maintain government-funded access to puberty blockers and transgender surgeries.
In a continuation of policies set by his predecessor, former prime minister Justin Trudeau, Liberal Leader Mark Carney has vowed to maintain government-funded access to puberty blockers and transgender surgeries.
During a press conference in Alberta on Tuesday, Carney made sweeping promises to defend “gender-affirming care.”
“Gender-affirming care” is a common term used by transgender activists to refer to publicly-funded access to puberty blockers, hormone treatment, sex-change operations and other medical or non-medical interventions to accommodate an individual’s chosen gender identity.
In response to a question on the issue, Carney said that “access to health care is a fundamental right.”
Reporters asked Carney whether the Liberals would intervene to protect access to transgender medical treatments under the Canada Health Act, a move that could further violate provincial jurisdiction as provinces like Alberta seek to prevent access to controversial treatments like puberty blockers for minors.
When pressed on Alberta’s proposed restrictions on sex change and puberty blockers for minors, Carney said he would defend the “fundamental right” to accessing gender-affirming care “without exception.”
“Canada is a mosaic, people can be who they are, they can love who they love… Access to health care in Canada is not a business, it is a fundamental right, and we will defend it for all Canadians, without exception,” said Carney.
Alberta’s policies, such as Bill 26, “prohibits health professionals from performing sex reassignment surgeries on minors” as well the use of puberty blockers by minors except for those 16 and 17 with parental approval.