Alberta’s transgender ban in sports exempts visiting out-of-province athletes

Alberta is rolling out new regulations in September banning transgender athletes from playing women's sports, but officials say they will still welcome out-of-province transgender competitors.

Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko says the province doesn't have the authority to regulate athletes from different jurisdictions because they can't overstep the rules outside groups abide by.

Premier Danielle Smith says the ban is about fairness on the playing field so that girls are not battling opponents with biological advantages. But detractors say it's about stigmatizing and punishing those in the transgender community.

Hannah Pilling, an athlete who petitioned in favour of the new regulations, is welcoming them, but says the exemption means they're still not completely fair and hopes government goes further. Transgender athlete Allison Hadley says allowing some transgender athletes suggests the legislation is not really about fairness or safety.

Mark Kosak, head of Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, says his organization is relieved it can still host out-of-province competitors, but the sporting community wasn't asking for the ban.