Multiple federal cabinet ministers are criticizing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed restrictions on transgender youth as targeting a vulnerable minority for political points, indicating Thursday they are looking at options for how to respond.
“Everything is on the table, anything that we can do,” said Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien.
Speaking with reporters on Parliament Hill, Ien said as the Canadian government waits to see what tangible measures Smith brings in, she won’t speculate on what exactly could be done. Instead, she’ll be heading on the road to consult those impacted before coming back to the federal cabinet with suggested ways to respond.
“We are going to look at every option that we have, and this is our NATO moment as an LGBTQ2S+ community. An attack on one of our communities is an attack on us all, and I need allies and champions to stand up,” said Randy Boissonnault, the sole Alberta MP in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
“If there’s ever been a time in this century, for people to stand up for the kind of Canada, the kind of Alberta we want, it’s today.”
On Wednesday night, Smith released a seven-and-a-half-minute scripted social media video pre-positioning her plans to advance a series of changes around pronouns in schools and access to gender-affirming health care that go beyond what Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have put in place.
Framing the package in terms of “parental involvement” and “preserving choice,” Smith’s government is specifically seeking to:
Require parental notification and consent for students aged 15 and under who want to change their names or pronouns at school, while for teens 16 and 17, the parents will be informed but do not need to consent;
Ban “top and bottom” gender-affirming surgeries for all Albertans ages 17 and under and ban hormone therapy for gender reassignment purposes for those aged 15 and under unless their treatment has already begun;
Require parental notification and an opt-in requirement when teachers intend to teach about LGBTQ2S+ issues such as gender and sexual identity; and
Implement restrictions around transgender women participating in women’s sports, citing “safety” while suggesting an expanded co-ed or gender-neutral league for trans athletes as an alternative.
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, “processes and age cut-offs for funding gender-affirming surgeries vary by province/territory in Canada,” but generally, the kinds of surgical procedures Smith is seeking to restrict are rarely available to Canadians under the age of 18, following extensive medical and psychological consultation.
Smith’s office told CTV News that these proposals will be implemented through a combination of policy and legislation, to be announced by the Fall with the intention of implementation by the end of the year.
Asked on CTV News Channel’s Power Play if the federal response will be ready by then, Ien said “she’ll have a response.” Boissonnault and Ien spent Wednesday night on the phone speaking to queer community members in Alberta who, Ien said after listening to video, despite its “soft tone” and “spa-like music” they feel less safe.
In the video, Smith said that she accepts all transgender Albertans, and wants to eliminate the discrimination they face.
Though, after discussions with her United Conservative Party caucus, she’s decided that given the “often changing” emotions of Albertans aged 17 and younger, as premier she’s “not comfortable” permitting “prematurely encouraging or enabling children to alter their very biology or natural growth, no matter how well intentioned.”
Among the promises Smith has made, is to seek out specialized medical professionals to provide gender-affirming surgeries to adult Albertans, in Alberta. She’s also vowed to “strictly” enforce child protection laws in cases where trans youth are rejected or abused by their parent.
Speaking to media in Alberta on Thursday afternoon, Smith doubled down on her position, asserting confidence that nothing her government is pursuing is against the law and rebuffing the rebukes from Ottawa.
“These are sensitive conversations involving children, and I hope we can de-politicize these issues as much as possible as we work through the process of implementing these policies,” Smith said. “We’re not stopping any covered service.”
Health minister heading to Alberta
Asked to comment on Thursday morning during a press conference about new assisted dying legislation, federal Health Minister Mark Holland and Justice Minister Arif Virani also stopped short of committing to federal action, but both expressed their dismay.
“I’m deeply disturbed. The decision that was made by Alberta places kids at risk,” Holland said Thursday. “Affirming gender, making sure that kids and families have the health care that they need on extremely sensitive issues, is so very important.”
“I thought we were in a place in this country, where we were moving past this. It’s extremely dangerous to engage in this kind of thing, which is, I think, playing politics when you’re talking about children’s lives.”
The health minister said his first move is going to be heading to Alberta to speak with his provincial counterpart Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, face-to-face.
“I want to talk through these issues. I want to see if we can find a solution through talking, to really understand what this is going to mean, and the devastation that it’s going to bring, so that we can find an offering,” Holland said. “So, that’s my first priority is to try through communicating.”
Court challenge? Too soon: Virani
The federal ministers’ comments come after a barrage of reaction overnight from LGBTQ2S+ advocates voicing fear over what they called the most restrictive anti-trans policies in the country.
Though, while groups like Egale Canada and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have indicated intent to pursue legal action “to protect rights and freedoms of trans and gender diverse people in the province,” if needed, the federal government isn’t crossing that bridge, yet.
“That is a completely speculative question,” Virani said. “They’ve announced what they’re thinking about doing, they’ve not tabled anything, there’s no legislation. There’s nothing to be taken to court, I’m not going to speculate.”
Virani said that as a dad, parents need to be able to have these conversations with their children.
“I think actually targeting that small minority for some political purpose in Alberta, as it seems that the premier is doing, is not becoming of her office, and is in fact actually targeting and perhaps even demonizing those children. We’re not talking about their exploration of their sexuality when we’re banning kids from a school yard, from a playground, or from a sports team.”
An ‘assault’ on trans rights: advocate
Fae Johnstone, executive director of the Society of Queer Momentum said what Smith has proposed is “an egregious assault on the rights and freedoms of vulnerable young people and their families.”
“This is a government interfering ideologically, in the provision of evidence-based health care, and stopping families from helping their kids access life-saving services that those young people need and deserve.”
In an interview on CTV News Channel, Johnstone cautioned that if implemented, Smith’s suite of measures could send trans and gender-diverse students back into the closet, or force them to come out before they know they’ll be supported at home.
“We recognize that health interventions are not an option for every child, but they are necessary for some and it is irresponsible for a government to get between that young person, their family, and their provider.”
NDP reacts, Conservatives yet to
Alberta Official Opposition Leader Rachel Notley held a press conference in Ottawa alongside federal NDP MPs on Thursday afternoon to respond to Smith’s “policy and guidelines aimed at dismantling the human rights of transgender Albertans.”
“Smith’s new policy represents government interference in what should be a collaborative and private decision between parents, their child, and their doctor,” Notley said, adding that this move is “designed to further divide those who have been subjected to misinformation and conspiracy theories.”
Notley said her caucus will push Smith to reverse course, noting the provincial government’s obligations under the Canada Health Act and Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
One of the MPs who appeared alongside Notley was Canada’s first openly two-spirit member of Parliament Blake Desjarlais. In separate remarks to reporters, he called on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to speak up.
“He has remained completely absent from ensuring that his own Conservative counterparts in these provinces are told that they won’t accept it. Silence is complicity,” Desjarlais said.
Last September, at the federal Conservative convention in Quebec City, delegates voted to include a pair of policies in the party’s playbook that would restrict gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth and oppose the inclusion of trans women in women’s spaces, such as on sports teams and in bathrooms.
To date, Poilievre has not said whether these are policies he’d campaign on, or would be pursued by a prospective federal Conservative government.
CTV News reached out to the Official Opposition leader’s office for comment and has yet to receive a response.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Lions coach Dan Campbell is selling his suburban Detroit home to get more privacy.
“There’s plenty of space, it’s on two acres, the home is beautiful,” Campbell told Crain’s Detroit Business. “It’s just that people figured out where we lived when we lost.”
He didn’t elaborate.
Campbell and wife Holly listed the 7,800-square-foot house in Bloomfield Hills for $4.5 million this week. A deal was pending within 24 hours, Crain’s reported.
Campbell was hired by the Lions in 2021. After a 3-13-1 record that season, the team has become one of the best in the NFL, reaching the NFC championship game last January.
Campbell’s home was built in 2013 for Igor Larionov, a Hockey Hall of Fame member who played for the Detroit Red Wings.
The likely buyers are “huge” Lions fans, said Ashley Crain, who is representing Campbell and the buyers in the sale.
Ariella Kimmel and Mandi Johnson were grabbing a bite to eat in Vienna, when their August trip to the Austrian capital was upended.
The Canadian duo had travelled to the city to see Taylor Swift in concert only to learn her shows would be cancelled because of two men plotting to launch an attack on fans outside the venue, Ernst Happel Stadium.
While Kimmel and Johnson were disappointed they weren’t going to be able to see Swift perform, they made the most of the remainder of their trip. However, the experience serves as a buyer’s beware for Canadians considering jet setting to see their favourite artists or teams.
“If you’re travelling to these concerts, it’s really hard to protect yourself,” said Kimmel, a Toronto-based vice-president at a public affairs firm who had previously travelled with Johnson to see Swift in Las Vegas, Nashville and Stockholm.
Such trips can make lifelong memories when they go off without a hitch, but cancellations and rescheduled events are common because of artist illnesses, poor ticket sales, security threats, unruly weather and natural disasters.
In the last year alone, Jennifer Lopez and the Black Keys scuttled touring plans after tickets had been sold, while Bruce Springsteen, Usher and Pink had to tell fans they couldn’t take the stage mere hoursbefore show time.
Between airfares, hotels, travel expenses and tickets, last-minute cancellations can leave globe-trotting eventgoers out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
“Regrettably, unpredictability has always been a reality of the industry but it’s increasingly common that there might be things that are going to interrupt your plans, especially plans that you’re really excited about,” said Jenny Kost, the Calgary-based global director of strategic sales initiatives at Corporate Traveller Canada.
“It’s a tricky one because the airline or hotel understands the reason behind your travel but its likelihood of happening or not happening is a little bit outside of their purview.”
Because Swift is known to power through shows even when sick, Kimmel never imagined a concert she was headed to would ever be cancelled, but she always booked plane tickets and hotels that could be rescheduled or refunded — a move she recommends to others travelling for events.
“It’s like common sense, you never know what’s going to happen,” Kimmel said.
However, making use of the rescheduling and refund options her hotel booking and airline tickets had weren’t an option for Kimmel this time because she had already been in Austria for a few days and had very little of her stay left when Swift cancelled.
Had the show been nixed before Kimmel left home, the flexibility baked into the bookings would have been useful, though Kost said such arrangements aren’t cheap.
“There is a cost associated with that that’s not insignificant,” she warned, estimating these kinds of bookings can add hundreds of dollars to your bill and have lots of quirks in the fine print.
The better bet is travel insurance, Kost said. It’s often cheaper than flexible fares and hotel bookings and can reimburse customers for accommodations and flights they have to drop or swap when an event gets cancel or an emergency strikes.
Kost opted for such insurance when she journeyed to Paris to see Swift over the summer and bought it again in a cab on her way to Mexico for a wedding. The insurance cost her about $150 for a week, but when she had to extend her stay because she fell ill, it covered the cost of all of her accommodations.
She doesn’t encourage people to wait until the last minute to buy the insurance like she did because buying it early can provide some reprieve when an event you’re travelling to is cancelled well in advance.
Travel costs aside, people heading out-of-town for events that wind up cancelled also have to consider whether they will get the money they spent on entry fees and tickets back.
In Kimmel and Johnson’s case, they paid Ticketmaster about $300 per seat. They learned just after the cancellation that they would be refunded — but not for an $85 transaction fee they were charged when purchasing the tickets.
“We paid $85 to not see her but I guess that in the grand scheme of what we were going to pay, it’s not a lot at all,” Kimmel said.
They did not opt to buy insurance on their tickets, which Ticketmaster offers through Allianz Global Assistance for $8, plus tax. Allianz’s vice-president of marketing and insights Dan Keon said the insurance offers coverage up to $1,000 per ticket.
In addition to offering refunds if an event is cancelled by a venue or promoter, the coverage can provide a reimbursement for a variety of situations. Those include if you are facing a serious medical issue or death, have a family member in life-threatening condition, are summoned by the military or are delayed in arriving at the venue because of a common transportation carrier.
If you’re going to opt into the insurance, Keon said review the terms ahead of time, so you understand exactly what scenarios you will be covered in.
The insurance, for example, can’t be used in the event of a pandemic, war or natural disaster.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the legal steps that follow can add even more stress to an already difficult time.
For years, families in Vancouver (and Canada in general) have struggled with a complex probate process—filled with paperwork and legal challenges.
Thankfully, recent changes to Canada’s probate laws aim to make this process simpler and easier to navigate.
Let’s unearth how these updates can simplify the process for you and your family.
What is probate?
Probate might sound complicated, but it’s simply the legal process of settling someone’s estate after death.
Here’s how it works.
Validating the will. The court checks if the will is legal and valid.
Appointing an executor. If named in the will, the executor manages the estate. If not, the court appoints someone.
Settling debts and taxes. The executor (and you) pays debts and taxes before anything can be given.
Distributing the estate. Once everything is settled, the executor distributes the remaining assets according to the will or legal rules.
Probate ensures everything is done by the book, giving you peace of mind during a difficult time.
Recent Changes in Canadian Probate Laws
Several updates to probate law in the country are making the process smoother for you and your family.
Here’s a closer look at the fundamental changes that are making a real difference.
1) Virtual witnessing of wills
Now permanent in many provinces, including British Columbia, wills can be signed and witnessed remotely through video calls.
Such a change makes estate planning more accessible, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility.
2) Simplified process for small estates
Smaller estates, like those under 25,000 CAD in BC, now have a faster, simplified probate process.
Fewer forms and legal steps mean less hassle for families handling modest estates.
3) Substantial compliance for wills
Courts can now approve wills with minor errors if they reflect the person’s true intentions.
This update prevents unnecessary legal challenges and ensures the deceased’s wishes are respected.
These changes help make probate less stressful and more efficient for you and other families across Canada.
The Probate Process and You: The Role of a Probate Lawyer
(Image: Freepik.com)
Working with a probate lawyer in Vancouver can significantly simplify the probate process, especially given the city’s complex legal landscape.
Here’s how they can help.
Navigating the legal process
Probate lawyers ensure all legal steps are followed, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring the estate is managed properly.
Handling paperwork and deadlines
They manage all the paperwork and court deadlines, taking the burden off of you during this difficult time.
Resolving disputes
If conflicts arise, probate lawyers resolve them, avoiding legal battles.
Providing you peace of mind
With a probate lawyer’s expertise, you can trust that the estate is being handled efficiently and according to the law.
With a skilled probate lawyer, you can ensure the entire process is smooth and stress-free.
Why These Changes Matter
The updates to probate law make a big difference for Canadian families. Here’s why.
Less stress for you. Simplified processes mean you can focus on grieving, not paperwork.
Faster estate settlements. Estates are settled more quickly, so beneficiaries don’t face long delays.
Fewer disputes. Courts can now honor will with minor errors, reducing family conflicts.
Accessible for everyone. Virtual witnessing and easier rules for small estates make probate more accessible for everyone, no matter where you live.
With these changes, probate becomes smoother and more manageable for you and your family.
How to Prepare for the Probate Process
Even with the recent changes, being prepared makes probate smoother. Here are a few steps to help you prepare.
Create a will. Ensure a valid will is in place to avoid complications.
Choose an executor. Pick someone responsible for managing the estate and discuss their role with them.
Organize documents. Keep key financial and legal documents in one place for easy access.
Talk to your family. Have open conversations with your family to prevent future misunderstandings.
Get legal advice. Consult with a probate lawyer to ensure everything is legally sound and up-to-date.
These simple steps make the probate process easier for everyone involved.
Wrapping Up: Making Probate Easier in Vancouver
Recent updates in probate law are simplifying the process for families, from virtual witnessing to easier estate rules. These reforms are designed to ease the burden, helping you focus on what matters—grieving and respecting your dead loved ones’ final wishes.
Despite these changes, it’s best to consult a probate lawyer to ensure you can manage everything properly. Remember, they’re here to help you during this difficult time.
