Canada’s Conservative Leader Backs Ban on Puberty Blockers for Minors, Reports Reuters

By Steve Scherer

OTTAWA – Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada’s Conservative opposition, voiced his support on Wednesday for a gender identity policy in Alberta that would restrict minors from accessing hormonal treatments such as puberty blockers.

The policy, announced last week and set to be implemented later this year, would impose the strictest regulations in Canada regarding hormonal treatments for young people. It would prohibit such treatments for children aged 15 and under, while requiring parental consent for those aged 16 and 17.

Supporters of transgender rights argue that access to medical transition care can significantly benefit the mental health of youth, who often experience higher suicide rates compared to their peers.

Alberta’s forthcoming rules have reignited a national debate in Canada, reflecting a long-standing division among political parties primarily seen in the United States. Conservative-led provinces like New Brunswick and Saskatchewan already have similar guidelines in place.

"We should protect children. Let them make adult decisions when they become adults," Poilievre stated to reporters, clearly indicating his belief that minors should not have access to puberty blockers.

Randy Boissonnault, Alberta’s minister of employment and workforce development, criticized Poilievre for echoing rhetoric commonly associated with the U.S. Republican Party. He emphasized that decisions regarding puberty blockers should be made between a young person and their doctor, remarking, "I don’t see M.D. after Pierre Poilievre’s name."

Boissonnault further implied that there is a collaboration among conservative leaders in Canada and the Conservative Party to emulate the political style of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s supporters.

Despite steering clear of contentious social issues, Poilievre has recently gained significant traction in opinion polls against Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by focusing on cost-of-living concerns, including a housing shortage.

On Wednesday, Poilievre accused Trudeau of attempting to create division among Canadians by attacking parents wanting to protect their children. Last November, he remarked that Trudeau should not impose what he described as "radical gender ideology" on children or schools, though he didn’t elaborate at the time.

Later that day, Trudeau countered Poilievre’s stance on puberty blockers, stating that the leader’s perspective is driven by ideology rather than a focus on protecting vulnerable individuals. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, including transgender youth.

Furthermore, the Canadian LGBTQ advocacy group Egale has announced plans to challenge Alberta’s gender identity policy in court once it is officially implemented.