Canadian doctors group challenging constitutionality of Alberta transgender law [Video]

A group representing Canada’s doctors is challenging the constitutionality of Alberta’s legislation limiting access to medical treatment for transgender youth, arguing it violates their Charter right to freedom of conscience.

The Canadian Medical Association says the challenge, filed Wednesday in Alberta Court of King’s Bench, is meant to protect the relationship between patients and doctors when it comes to making treatment decisions.

“This is a historic and unprecedented government intrusion into the physician-patient relationship and requires doctors to follow the law rather than clinical guidelines, the needs of patients and their own conscience,” the association said in a statement.

The legislation was part of a trio of bills affecting transgender people that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government passed last year.

The association, which represents more than 75,000 physicians, is specifically challenging the bill that blocks doctors from prescribing hormone therapy and puberty blockers to children under 16 and bans gender …