Several Canadian sports organizations have announced their decision not to adhere to Skate Canada’s boycott of national and international events in Alberta following the enactment of a law prohibiting transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports.
Hockey Canada, Speed Skating Canada, Curling Canada, Boxing Canada, and Table Tennis Canada have all confirmed that they will proceed with hosting events in the province.
Jeremy Knight, a spokesperson for Hockey Canada, stated in an email to CBC News that they do not have any immediate plans to modify their event schedule.
Skate Canada recently declared that it would cease hosting major events in Alberta due to the review of the province’s Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act.
‘A significant financial impact’
Al Cameron, a representative from Curling Canada, affirmed that their organization’s plans will remain unchanged.
“We have no intention of relocating events out of Alberta,” Cameron mentioned in an email to CBC News, highlighting the substantial financial repercussions this would have on Curling Alberta and Alberta-based host clubs.
The Alberta legislation permits only athletes assigned female at birth to participate in women’s sports and is one of three transgender laws recently upheld by the government using the notwithstanding clause to bypass certain Charter rights and prevent legal challenges.
Skate Canada announced it will no longer host national and international-level events in Alberta because of a provincial law restricting transgender athletes from participating in female-only sports.
“Following a thorough evaluation of Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, Skate Canada has concluded that we cannot host events in the province while upholding our national standards for safe and inclusive sports,” Skate Canada expressed in an email statement to CBC News.
Others don’t follow decision
However, other Canadian sports bodies have not followed Skate Canada’s stance at present.
Joe Morissette, CEO of Speed Skating Canada, mentioned to The Canadian Press that while inclusivity is valued, practical considerations are crucial.
“One of our national training centers is situated in Calgary,” Morissette emphasized.
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How Skate Canada pushed for inclusion in the years leading up to stance on Alberta’s transgender policy
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