18.4°C Vancouver

Apr 1, 2022 12:15 AM - The Canadian Press

Alberta government working to strengthen legislation banning female genital mutilation in the province

Share On

In an effort to better protect the health and safety of women and girls, the Alberta government is working to strengthen legislation banning female genital mutilation (FGM) in the province.

Bill 10, the Health Professions (Protecting Women and Girls) Amendment Act 2022, if passed, will mean health professionals and practitioners who perform or facilitate FGM would be removed from practicing medicine.

Further, under Bill 10, if a health professional is convicted of having practiced FGM in another jurisdiction, they would not be allowed to practice in Alberta.

Those who are witness to conduct relating to FGM would be required to step forward and report the instance to law enforcement authorities.

Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Leela Aheer has been spearheading the campaign for several years and spoke passionately that Bill 10 has been introduced into the legislature.

``Seven years ago is when I really started to learn more about FGM and what was going on and that it happens on every single continent,'' said Aheer.

``When you first learn about it, it's hard to get your head around it, but then to learn that girls who are in Canada who have moved here or have come from cultures who are still doing this and are being sent overseas to have the practice done, is just one of those mind-boggling moments.''

The proposed amendments, if passed, would require regulatory colleges within the health profession to adopt certain standards of practice relating to FGM.

As defined in the Health Professions Act, FGM would include all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

``It is considered at the federal level as aggravated assault under Section 268 of the Criminal Code of Canada … but due to this secretive practice, it's very hard to know how many girls are impacted,'' added Aheer.

``The amendments to the Health Professions Act will ensure that the health professionals themselves are held accountable, so that those that perform or facilitate female genital mutilation and cutting are removed from their practice.''

At the federal level under the Criminal Code of Canada, there is a maximum imprisonment sentence of 14 years for a practitioner found guilty of performing a FGM type operation.

Parents of an afflicted person can also be charged for their willing participation in the practice.

Detailed within the legislation will also be supports for protecting children at risk, as well as supporting and managing those with physical and psychological trauma resulting from FGM.

``It was really important for me to make sure that legislation that we're bringing forward has the opportunity to educate and empower and really evolve the conversation around protecting women and girls here in Canada,'' said Aheer.

According to a release from the province, there are more than 200 million girls and women alive who have undergone FGM procedures in 30 countries and an estimated excess of 3 million girls are potentially at risk of FGM operations annually.

Latest news

richmond-rcmp-warns-public-about-job-posters-written-in-simplified-chinese
BCAug 29, 2025

Richmond RCMP warns public about job posters written in Simplified Chinese

Richmond RCMP is warning the public about job advertisement posters targeted to the Chinese community. The posters are written in Simplified Chinese, and posted on various light posts throughout the City. The job posters advertise various types of employment such as vacation home house-sitter, care giver for the elderly, and tea leaves packager. The posters provide a brief description of the job, and a contact phone number. Investigators have reason to believe that these posters may be used to solicit personal information which may be used to identify potential scam targets. In one case, a vic
richmond-rcmp-reminds-drivers-to-slow-down-as-students-return-to-school
BCAug 29, 2025

Richmond RCMP reminds drivers to slow down as students return to school

As students head back to school this September, Richmond RCMP is reminding drivers and parents to take extra care on the roads. Richmond roads will be busier this September as many people return from summer holidays and children return to school. Drivers are reminded to allow extra travel time, reduce speed, and avoid distractions by leaving your phone alone while driving. Watch for children and multimodal road users, especially near schools, parks, and residential areas. According to ICBC data, three children are killed and 402 injured in crashes while walking or cycling in B.C. every year. 5
poilievre-wants-reasonable-self-defence-defined-in-criminal-code
CanadaAug 29, 2025

Poilievre wants 'reasonable' self-defence defined in Criminal Code

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wants the government to amend the Criminal Code to say that the use of force is presumed to be reasonable to defend your home is someone breaks into it. He says if the government doesn't do this, his party will introduce a private member's bill aimed at making the change this fall during a press conference in Brampton, Ont.. This comes after a 44-year-old Lindsay, Ont. man was charged with assault in an altercation after a man with a crossbow allegedly broke into his apartment. The alleged intruder, a 41-year-old man also from Lindsay, was airlifted to hosp
fort-st-john-rcmp-arrest-two-males-and-execute-search-warrant-in-drug-investigation
BCAug 29, 2025

Fort St John RCMP arrest two males and execute search warrant in drug investigation

On August 15, 2025, the Fort St John RCMP Street Enforcement Team completed a drug trafficking investigation with the search of a hotel room near 93 Avenue and 100 Street in Fort St John, BC. The search followed the arrest of two males that day after they attempted to flee from Police in the parking lot of the hotel. The incident resulted in damage to police vehicles and the suspect vehicle. Inside the suspect vehicle, Police located drugs, currency and two loaded handguns; one of which had been converted to fire fully automatic. Police executed a search warrant on the room the males were sta
police-charge-18-year-old-man-after-three-people-stabbed-at-calgary-stampede
AlbertaAug 29, 2025

Police charge 18-year-old man after three people stabbed at Calgary Stampede

Police have charged a man with three counts of aggravated assault for stabbings at the Calgary Stampede last month. Police say they identified the 18-year-old following an extensive investigation that included witness interviews and camera footage. Officers executed a search warrant of the suspect's house and seized a folding knife and clothing they say believe are consistent with the stabbings. The man is scheduled to appear in court next week. Three males were stabbed in an area of the Stampede midway, including two 18-year-olds and one 15-year-old. Police have said all three

Related News