Ottawa’s recent call for limits on the notwithstanding clause poses a threat to “national unity” and signifies a disregard for the process that resulted in the establishment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, five premiers say.
The leaders of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia are speaking out against the federal government’s appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada to impose restrictions on how provinces may use the notwithstanding clause.
A joint letter from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Quebec Premier François Legault, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston calls on Ottawa to reconsider its approach “and withdraw its written legal argument immediately” to preserve national unity….