Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ruled out reopening the Constitution to deal with provinces pre-emptively using the notwithstanding clause, after Ontario Premier Doug Ford “highly” recommended Monday he not go down that route.
The notwithstanding clause allows Parliament and legislatures to temporarily suspend a number of rights guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ford government invoked it last week in its back-to-work legislation imposing a contract on 55,000 education workers and banning them from striking.
Speaking at Queen’s Park on Monday morning, Ford pointed out that the clause is a “constitutional tool” available to provincial governments. Adding limits to the clause’s use in the Constitution, or removing it entirely, would require the agreement of Parliament and at least seven provinces representing at least 50 per cent of the population.
Speaking shortly after Ford, Trudeau said his government is focused on issues including the rising cost of living, climate change, good jobs and preparing for possible future pandemics.
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