Alberta's governing United Conservatives stayed up into the early pre-dawn hours of Wednesday morning to pass a bill that marks the fourth time in under two months they have used the Charter's notwithstanding clause.

Members of Premier Danielle Smith's caucus used their majority to pass on third and final reading a bill affecting transgender citizens.

The UCP members pounded their desks and shouted "Hear, hear!" after the 2:20 a.m. vote while members of the Opposition NDP — who voted against the bill — shook their heads.

Smith was not in the chamber for the final vote.

The bill moved quickly through the evening as the United Conservatives used their majority to limit discussion to one hour in each of the final two debate stages.

Why Danielle Smith's government is not withstanding many

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