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“The totality of the evidence regarding A.B.’s medical needs … leads me to conclude that his hormone treatment should not be delayed further,” the judge wrote.

“While A.B.’s father does not consent to the treatment, I am satisfied that A.B.’s consent is sufficient for the treatment to proceed.”

The father believes his child does not understand the risks and consequences of the gender transition treatment

The boy’s father is planning an appeal, his lawyer, Herb Dunton, wrote in an email.

“The father is disappointed. He intends to appeal. He believes his child does not understand the risks and consequences of the gender transition treatment, and the harm that can come to the child,” he wrote. “The father does not believe his case for the protection of the child was heard by the B.C. Supreme Court.”

The boy’s lawyer, barbara findlay, and the mother’s lawyer, Jessica Lithwick, did not have any immediate comments on the decision.

In an affidavit to the court, the mother previously wrote: “If his treatment is put on hold, I am terrified that A.B. will conclude there is no hope and will take his life.”

According to the ruling, A.B., who is in Grade 9, has identified as male since he was 11 and is referred to by his teachers and classmates as a boy using male pronouns.

A.B. had multiple visits with Wallace Wong, a registered psychologist experienced in treating children with gender dysphoria, a condition in which a person experiences significant distress with the gender they were assigned at birth. Wong determined A.B. to be a “good candidate” for hormone treatment and referred him to B.C. Children’s Hospital last year.