Skate Canada Announces It Will No Longer Host Events in Alberta Following Law Restricting Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports, marking a significant development in the ongoing national debate over inclusion, fairness, and safety in athletics.
Skate Canada has confirmed that it will no longer stage any national or international-level competitions in Alberta after the province enacted legislation that limits female-only sports to biological females. The decision follows a review of Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, one of three laws introduced by Premier Danielle Smith’s government in 2024.
Why Skate Canada Made the Decision
In a statement, Skate Canada said the legislation conflicts with its commitment to inclusive sport across the country. After what it described as a careful evaluation of the new law, the organization concluded it could not host events in Alberta while upholding its national standards.
Skate Canada emphasized that the move applies only to the hosting of events. Athletes from Alberta will still be able to take part in Skate Canada programs and competitions held elsewhere. The organization also said it will continue to monitor legislative changes in the province and may revisit hosting opportunities if circumstances change.
Alberta Government Pushes Back
The Alberta government reacted strongly to the announcement. Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko called the decision disappointing, arguing that the province’s policies are designed to protect women and girls and to ensure competitions remain fair and safe.
According to Boitchenko, no athlete should face an unfair advantage or be put at risk simply to participate in the sport they love. He added that by opting out of Alberta venues, Skate Canada is denying female athletes the chance to compete on what the province views as a level playing field.
Premier Danielle Smith echoed that criticism, describing Skate Canada’s move as “disgraceful.” She said women and girls have a right to compete in a safe and fair environment against other biological females, a position she claimed reflects the views of most Albertans and Canadians.
Smith also suggested that Skate Canada would eventually reverse its stance, arguing that international bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, are moving in a direction similar to Alberta’s approach.
Recent Events and Legislative Context
While Skate Canada currently has no future events scheduled in Alberta, the province has recently hosted major competitions. Calgary welcomed the Skate Canada Challenge in late November and also served as host city for the 2024 national championships.
The controversy intensified after Alberta passed legislation on Dec. 10 invoking the notwithstanding clause to shield three new laws from legal challenges under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The move, part of the Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act, allows the province to override certain Charter protections for up to five years.
The government defended the decision as necessary to protect children, maintain fairness in sports, and rebalance power between elected officials and the courts.
Opposition Raises Democratic Concerns
Opposition voices were quick to criticize the use of the notwithstanding clause. NDP MLA Kathleen Ganley called the move an affront to the rule of law and democratic principles. She pointed out that the Smith government has invoked the clause multiple times in a short period, despite it traditionally being reserved for exceptional circumstances.
Despite the criticism, the province maintains that the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act is essential to ensuring athletes can compete in environments that are both safe and fair.
As the debate continues, Skate Canada Announces It Will No Longer Host Events in Alberta Following Law Restricting Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports, a decision that highlights the deep divide between sports organizations and governments over how best to balance inclusion, safety, and competitive fairness in modern athletics.
