Alberta passes second amendment to the Sexual Sterilization Act

March 19, 1942. The Legislative Assembly of Alberta passes "An Act to amend the Sexual Sterilization Act". The aim of this legislation is to modify parts of the Sexual Sterilization Act. That legislation dealt with the conditions, procedures, and liabilities for sterilizing individuals living in designated state institutions. The main change in this legislation is the addition of two new conditions as grounds for sterilization.

Two sections of the Sexual Sterilization Act are amended by this legislation. First, section 3, which dealt with the Board of Eugenics, is amended. The section is changed so that temporary appointments of replacement can be made to the board. Second, section 6, which dealt with the conditions relevant for sterilization, is amended. Two new conditions are added: "neurosyphillis...not amounting to psychosis and...not responsive to treatment" and "epilepsy with psychosis or mental deterioration" (Sec.3). This legislation amends it so that individuals living in state institutions with either condition of the above conditions could be sterilized if the Eugenics Board considered them to be "at risk" of having children with a "mental disability or deficiency" (Sec. 3).

The motivations for this amendment legislation were largely "medical" or "scientific". Although discredited today, the addition of the two above conditions were supposed to reflect growing understanding of the hereditary basis of mental conditions.

In terms of impact, the Sexual Sterilization Act of Alberta was substantial and long lasting. It is estimated that over 2,700 persons were sterilized under the mandate of the Act and its two amendments (1937, 1942) in Alberta. The legislation was repealed in 1972 when, among other reasons, it was deemed unconstitutional.

-Luke Kersten

  • Province of Alberta. (1942). An Act to amend the Sexual Sterilization Act. Statutes of the Province of Alberta.

Alberta passes second amendment to the Sexual Sterilization Act

March 19, 1942. The Legislative Assembly of Alberta passes "An Act to amend the Sexual Sterilization Act". The aim of this legislation is to modify parts of the Sexual Sterilization Act. That legislation dealt with the conditions, procedures, and liabilities for sterilizing individuals living in designated state institutions. The main change in this legislation is the addition of two new conditions as grounds for sterilization.

Two sections of the Sexual Sterilization Act are amended by this legislation. First, section 3, which dealt with the Board of Eugenics, is amended. The section is changed so that temporary appointments of replacement can be made to the board. Second, section 6, which dealt with the conditions relevant for sterilization, is amended. Two new conditions are added: "neurosyphillis...not amounting to psychosis and...not responsive to treatment" and "epilepsy with psychosis or mental deterioration" (Sec.3). This legislation amends it so that individuals living in state institutions with either condition of the above conditions could be sterilized if the Eugenics Board considered them to be "at risk" of having children with a "mental disability or deficiency" (Sec. 3).

The motivations for this amendment legislation were largely "medical" or "scientific". Although discredited today, the addition of the two above conditions were supposed to reflect growing understanding of the hereditary basis of mental conditions.

In terms of impact, the Sexual Sterilization Act of Alberta was substantial and long lasting. It is estimated that over 2,700 persons were sterilized under the mandate of the Act and its two amendments (1937, 1942) in Alberta. The legislation was repealed in 1972 when, among other reasons, it was deemed unconstitutional.

-Luke Kersten

  • Province of Alberta. (1942). An Act to amend the Sexual Sterilization Act. Statutes of the Province of Alberta.