Skate Canada to stop hosting events in Alberta due to sports gender law

Skate Canada says it is unable to host events in Alberta while maintaining its standards for safety and inclusivity.

Canada’s governing body for figure skating says Alberta is now a no-go zone for national and international events because of its law on transgender athletes participating in female-only sports.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the organization’s refusal to hold events in the province “disgraceful” and said her government expects an apology.

Skate Canada, in a statement Tuesday, said its new policy is due to the provincial law — the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act — that prohibits transgender athletes from participating in female-only sports.

The law, which came into effect Sept. 1, blocks transgender athletes from Alberta who are 12 and older from competing in female amateur sports.

Skate Canada said the decision comes after long consideration.

“Skate Canada considers a variety of criteria when selecting host locations for its national events,” the statement said.

“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.”

Smith, on social media, accused the organization of refusing to hold events in Alberta “because we choose to protect women and girls in sport.”