Smith calls Skate Canada’s Alberta ban “disgraceful,” demands apology

Smith is demanding an apology from Skate Canada after the organization banned future events in the province because Alberta dared to protect women’s and girls’ sports from biological males.

Source: Facebook

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is demanding an apology from Skate Canada after the organization banned future events in the province because Alberta dared to protect women’s and girls’ sports from biological males.

In a statement posted to X on Tuesday, Smith accused the organization of punishing Alberta for choosing to protect female athletes, calling the decision “disgraceful” and out of step with international norms.

“Women and girls have the right to play competitive sports in a safe and fair environment against other biological females,” Smith wrote. “This view is held by a vast majority of Albertans and Canadians. It is also common sense and common decency.”

Smith said Skate Canada’s refusal to hold events in Alberta was a direct response to the province’s sports legislation, which requires athletes 12 or older to confirm they were female sex at birth, with parental consent required for minors.

“Skate Canada‘s refusal to hold events in Alberta because we choose to protect women and girls in sport is disgraceful,” Smith said.

“We expect they will apologize and adjust their policies once they realize they are not only compromising the fairness and safety of their athletes, but are also offside with the international community, including the International Olympic Committee, which is moving in the same direction as Alberta.”

Skate Canada confirmed Tuesday that Alberta is no longer eligible to host national or international skating events while the law remains in force.

In a statement, the organization said it reached this decision after reviewing the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act and determining it could not meet the standards for “safe and inclusive sport” under the legislation.

“Following a careful assessment of Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, Skate Canada has determined that we are unable to host events in the province while maintaining our national standards for safe and inclusive sport,” the organization said.

Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko backed Smith’s criticism, saying Skate Canada is failing to protect its own female athletes by refusing to hold events in Alberta.

“It is disappointing that Skate Canada is refusing to support and protect their own female athletes,” Boitchenko said. “No athlete should have an unfair advantage, and no athlete should have to put themselves at risk of harm to participate in the sports they love.”

Boitchenko added that by avoiding Alberta, Skate Canada is limiting opportunities for female athletes to compete in what he described as safe and fair conditions.

“By choosing to forgo events in Alberta’s world-class venues, Skate Canada is denying their female athletes opportunities to compete on a safe and level playing field,” he said. “To Alberta’s figure skaters — please know that our government supports your right to compete safely and fairly, even if your national sport organization won’t.”

The Fairness and Safety in Sport Act came into force on Sept. 1. The legislation requires governing bodies to ensure female-only competitions are reserved for biological females, while allowing for mixed-sex divisions.

The Alberta UCP further invoked the notwithstanding clause on the Act, Bill 29 and a suite of other transgender-related legislation to shut down ongoing court battles and ensure the laws took effect without delay.

Smith gave a message directly to young Albertans navigating their identity when she invoked the clause.

“You deserve dignity, understanding and support. We will never stop working to keep you safe. You belong in Alberta. We firmly believe that. We also believe it’s our duty to protect you. This legislation is about your future. So when the time comes, you have every opportunity to make the adult decisions that are rightfully yours and yours alone,” she said.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the government believes invoking the clause will effectively halt ongoing court challenges.

“We’ve said previously that we’re prepared to use every single legal and constitutional tool available to protect the well-being of young people, and that’s why we’ll be invoking the notwithstanding clause,” he said. “We believe that this is a necessary measure to ensure that these laws stand without further court delay or uncertainty.”

Skate Canada said it may revisit its decision if circumstances change, but for now, Alberta will be excluded from hosting future events, despite having hosted major competitions as recently as last month.