Skate Canada Cancels Events in Alberta Over New Gender Law

Skate Canada announced it will not hold national and international events in Alberta due to a newly implemented provincial law that restricts transgender athletes from participating in female-only sports. The decision, communicated in a statement on December 16, 2025, follows the organization’s evaluation of Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, which took effect on September 1, 2025. This law prohibits transgender athletes aged 12 and older from competing in female amateur sports within the province.

In its statement, Skate Canada emphasized that it considers various criteria when selecting host locations for national events. “Following a careful assessment of Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, Skate Canada has determined that we are unable to host events in the province while maintaining our national standards for safe and inclusive sport,” the organization stated.

The decision specifically affects national and international events, but it does not hinder Alberta athletes from participating in Skate Canada programming and competitions. Currently, there are no scheduled national or international events in Alberta, though the 2025-26 Skate Canada Challenge was previously held in Calgary from November 27 to 30, 2025, and the city hosted the national championships in 2024.

Controversy Surrounding the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act

The Fairness and Safety in Sport Act is part of a series of three laws introduced by Premier Danielle Smith‘s government in 2025, which also address transgender health and education. These laws have ignited significant debate across the province and beyond. Proponents, including Smith, argue the legislation is essential for ensuring fairness in competitive sports, suggesting that it prevents biological advantages that some female athletes may face. Opponents contend that these laws stigmatize and unfairly punish transgender individuals.

In a notable move earlier this month, Smith’s government invoked the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to protect the law from judicial scrutiny for five years. This provision allows the government to maintain the law despite potential conflicts with individual rights as outlined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the new law, the government clarified that out-of-province transgender athletes are exempt from the ban. Officials stated that they lack the authority to regulate athletes from outside Alberta, as those competitors are subject to the guidelines of their respective sporting organizations.

Future Considerations for Skate Canada

Skate Canada has indicated it will continue to monitor legislative changes in Alberta and reassess the possibility of hosting events in the province as conditions evolve. The organization remains committed to upholding its standards for inclusivity and safety in sports, which are vital to its mission.

As the landscape of sports legislation continues to shift, the implications of such laws will likely resonate beyond Alberta, influencing policies and practices in sports organizations across Canada and potentially in other countries.