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Alberta proposes changes to vital statistics on names, gender designations

Last Updated Nov 8, 2016 at 5:26 pm MDT

Alberta is introducing legislation that will allow people who don’t identify as either male or female to put an X on government documents like marriage certificates.

Service Alberta Minister Stephanie McLean has introduced a bill in the legislature to make 80 changes to birth, death, and marriage records and other related documents.

The proposed legislation clarifies that parents can choose any last name for their child.

Parents will be allowed to make changes reflecting traditional or cultural naming practices, such as putting the family name before the given name.

Privacy rules will also be enhanced to restrict who can access vital records.