Countermeasures to oppose Alberta's use of the notwithstanding clause to exclude transgender athletes from women's sport

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Authors: Marcus Mazzucco
Cited by: 2
References: 3

Abstract

In Alberta, Canada, the provincial government has enacted legislation to ban transgender women and girls from participating in women's sport. The government invoked the notwithstanding clause in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to shield the ban from legal challenge for violating the right to non-discrimination, among other constitutional rights. Various countermeasures are available to the Canadian sport system to oppose Alberta's ban and circumvent its use of the notwithstanding clause. These countermeasures involve constitutional and corporate laws, the federal government's spending powers, privacy law, and administrative law. Sport organizations, the federal government, and athletes can pursue these countermeasures to ensure that affected transgender women and girls are not unfairly denied the opportunity to participate in women's sport.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Sports Gender and Society LGBTQ Health Identity and Policy Doping in Sports

Publication details

Journal / source
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Volume
8
Pages
1772828–1772828
Publication date
18 February 2026
Language
EN