The Alberta government has introduced legislation to invoke the notwithstanding clause, aiming to protect three controversial laws affecting transgender individuals from legal challenges. Premier Danielle Smith announced the move during a news conference, stating that the ongoing court cases could take years to resolve, creating uncertainty for those impacted. "This government does not turn to the notwithstanding clause unless the stakes warrant it, and in this case, the stakes could not be higher," Smith said. The proposed legislation, known as Bill 9, or the Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act, seeks to shield laws that require parental consent for students changing their names or pronouns in schools, limit gender-affirming health care, and ban transgender girls from participating in female sports. If passed, Bill 9 would prevent courts from striking down these laws for violating specific sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Alberta Bill of Rights, or the Alberta Human Rights Act. Justice Minister Mickey Amery emphasized the need for this action, citing the potential harm to children as a justification for overriding fundamental rights. This is the second time this fall that the Alberta government has invoked the notwithstanding clause. Earlier, it passed the Back to School Act, which ended a teachers' strike and imposed a new contract. Critics of the legislation argue that it infringes on the rights of transgender youth and adults. Advocacy groups, including Egale Canada and the Skipping Stone Foundation, have launched legal challenges against the laws. Bill 26, which prohibits gender-affirming surgeries for minors and restricts access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies, has faced significant opposition. In June, a judge granted a temporary injunction against the implementation of Bill 26, stating that the potential harm from the law warranted further examination. The second challenge, against Bill 27, requires parental consent for students under 16 who wish to change their name or pronoun at school. The Alberta NDP leader, Naheed Nenshi, criticized the government's actions, calling the use of the notwithstanding clause against vulnerable children "cowardly." He expressed concern about the implications of removing rights from one group and questioned who might be next. As the Alberta government moves forward with Bill 9, the timeline for its implementation remains unclear. The legislation, if enacted, would suspend certain rights for five years but could be re-enacted thereafter. The debate surrounding these laws continues to evoke strong reactions from both supporters and opponents, highlighting the ongoing tensions regarding transgender rights in Alberta.