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A number of Canadian sports organizations say they will not follow Skate Canada’s boycott of national and international-level events in Alberta following the passage of a law banning transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports.
Hockey Canada, Speed Skating Canada, Curling Canada, Boxing Canada and Table Tennis Canada have all said they will continue to hold events in the province.
“We have no plans to adjust our event schedule at this time,” Jeremy Knight, a spokesperson for Hockey Canada, said in an email statement to CBC News.
Earlier this week, Skate Canada said it will no longer host major events in Alberta following a review of the province’s Alberta’s Fairness and Safety in Sport Act.
‘A significant financial impact’
Al Cameron, a spokesman for Curling Canada, echoed that the organization’s plans remain unchanged.
“We have no intent to move events out of Alberta,” he said in an email to CBC News. “The consequences would have a significant financial impact on Curling Alberta, as well as Alberta-based host clubs for events.”
The Alberta act permits only athletes assigned female at birth to compete in women’s sports. The legislation is among three transgender laws the government guarded earlier this month by using the notwithstanding clause to override certain Charter rights and prevent court challenges.
WATCH | Skate Canada pulls major events from Alberta:
Skate Canada pulls major events from Alberta over transgender law
Skate Canada announced it will no longer host national and international-level events in Alberta because of a provincial law restricting transgender athletes from participating in female-only sports.
“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,” Skate Canada said in a statement emailed to CBC News.
Others don’t follow decision
But so far, other Canadian sports organizations have not followed Skate Canada’s decision.
Speed Skating Canada’s CEO told The Canadian Press that although the group values its participants and wants to be inclusive, it’s important to be pragmatic.
“One of our national training centres is based in Calgary,” said Joe Morissette.
“We have over 25 athletes there. We host numerous national and international championships there each and every year. The calendar has been set for many, many years from now.”
Christopher Lindsay, executive director of Boxing Canada, said its organization has no plans to stop holding competitions in Alberta.
“This doesn’t represent support for, or against, the actions taken by Skate Canada,” Lindsay said in an email to CBC News. “We support every national sport organization to run their sport as they see fit.”
He said their organization is hopeful the Alberta legislation protects the ability of all Albertans to participate in sport, “while ensuring that the conditions during competition meet Boxing Canada’s priorities of safety, fairness, and then broad participation.”
Smith’s reaction to Skate Canada decision
On Tuesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called Skate Canada’s decision disgraceful and said she expects an apology from the figure skating group. She said even the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is moving in the same direction as Alberta.
The IOC is currently in the process of reviewing its definition of female sports.
Among the groups still considering the law is Wrestling Canada Lutte, the body for Olympic-style wrestling. It said it’s still determining if it will change its event hosting policies.