Ontario Health Minister Says Province Not Following Alberta in Restricting Child Transition

Ontario’s health minister says the province will not be following Alberta in banning transgender surgeries or hormone therapies. “We’re not making any changes as it relates to gender-affirming care in the province of Ontario,” Health Minister Sylvia Jones said on Feb. 1 in response to a reporter’s question about whether Ontario would follow Alberta’s lead and ban transgender surgeries and hormone treatments for children. “We are very focused on expanding access to services, expanding access to primary care in the province of Ontario and that’s what we will be focusing on.” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced on Jan. 31 that gender-altering surgeries would not be permitted for those aged 17 and under. She also said that medications, like puberty blockers and hormone therapies, would not be allowed for those 15 and under....