Gender diversity in Alberta tops national average

For the first time, national census data from Statistics Canada is revealing how many transgender and nonbinary people live in Alberta.

Populations in Alberta are higher than the national average at 0.37 per cent, with at least 12,480 transgender or nonbinary people having lived in the province.

In Calgary, that includes about 5,000 people, or 0.39 per cent. Non-binary Calgarians aged 18 and over make up 4.5 per cent of Canada's nonbinary population in total.

Alberta also has greater gender diversity in younger people than Canada at large, making up 0.74 per cent of people between the ages of 15 and 34.

Of the 30.5 million people over the age of 15 surveyed across Canada, about one in 300 are transgender or nonbinary. Close to two-thirds of them are under 35, according to the census.

Elena Prokopenko, an analyst with gender, diversity and inclusion statistics, said the data are meant to fill an information gap in Canada. Previously, the census only asked respondents if they were male or female.

“We've heard there's very little to benchmark against how big the population is, and the basic demographic descriptions that we have about all people in Canada were lacking,” Prokopenko said.

Governments and businesses can use the data to design policies and programs that better target the needs of transgender and nonbinary people, she said.

Anna Murphy, a transgender advocate in Calgary, said having the data is an important first step, but work lies ahead to provide the policies needed for equity.

“It's fantastic that we have data, and it's important to recognize the value in representation,” Murphy said.

“But now what? Are you going to use it to make policy to make the lives of trans and nonbinary Canadians better? Or is this census going to go sit on the shelf until the next one comes out?”

The needs of transgender and gender diverse people have historically been left out of the conversation, she said — particularly when it comes to health care, where transgender patients suffer routine discrimination.

Alberta doesn't offer gender-affirming surgery in the province. Alberta also requires two independent assessments by psychiatrists and a diagnosis to quality for gender reassignment surgeries.

“I want to see policy, I want to see legislation, I want to see us taking steps forward that include LGBTQ+ Canadians,” Murphy said.

“If we want to authentically represent the people to whom we are responsible, then we need to be ensuring that we are being reflective of all people to whom we are responsible.”

Lindsay Peace is the co-founder and executive director of Skipping Stone, a non-profit for anyone who identifies as transgender, nonbinary or gender diverse. She said she is excited about the data and believes the numbers will grow with each census.

“This is probably just the tip of the iceberg, right?” Peace said.

Stigma and shame may be preventing more people from identifying themselves, Peace said, particularly among older populations.