Canada's national figure skating governing body has taken a firm stance against Alberta's legislation on transgender athletes. Skate Canada announced it will no longer host its premier national or international competitions in the province. This significant move is a direct response to Alberta's Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, which came into force on September 1, 2025.
The Decision and Its Rationale
In a statement released on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Skate Canada outlined its position. The organization stated it conducts thorough evaluations when selecting locations for its marquee events. Following a careful review of the provincial law, it concluded that hosting events in Alberta would conflict with its commitment to inclusive sport.
"Skate Canada considers a variety of criteria when selecting host locations for its national events," the organization 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."
Understanding Alberta's Controversial Law
The Fairness and Safety in Sport Act is one of three pieces of legislation introduced by Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party government focusing on transgender issues in health, education, and sport. The law specifically prohibits transgender athletes in Alberta who are 12 years of age and older from competing in female-only amateur sports categories.
Earlier in December 2025, the provincial government invoked the Charter's notwithstanding clause to shield this law, along with the others, from constitutional challenges for a period of five years. Proponents, including Premier Smith, argue the law is necessary to ensure fairness and safety, maintaining that female athletes should not compete against individuals with perceived biological advantages.
Exemptions and Immediate Impact
The Alberta government has clarified that the ban does not apply to visiting athletes from other jurisdictions, as it claims no authority to regulate out-of-province or international competitors. However, this exemption did not sway Skate Canada's decision regarding where it chooses to stage its own events.
The immediate practical impact is clear: no upcoming Skate Canada national or international events are scheduled for Alberta. This marks a shift for a province that has recently been a hub for high-level skating. Calgary successfully hosted the Skate Canada Challenge from November 27 to 30, 2025, and was the site of the 2024 Canadian National Championships.
Skate Canada noted that Alberta-based skaters remain eligible to participate in its programs and competitions outside of the top-tier national and international events affected by this ban. The organization also stated it would continue to monitor the legislative situation in Alberta and reassess hosting opportunities if circumstances change.
Broader Context and Reactions
The decision by Skate Canada inserts a major national sports organization into the heated political debate surrounding transgender rights in Alberta. Critics of the law argue that it stigmatizes and marginalizes transgender individuals, while supporters stand by the principle of protecting women's sports.
This move represents a tangible economic and cultural consequence of the provincial legislation, potentially depriving Alberta cities of the tourism, publicity, and local economic activity generated by premier sporting events. The stance taken by Skate Canada may prompt other national sporting bodies to evaluate their own positions regarding events in Alberta under the current legal framework.
