Leave Use of Notwithstanding Clause up to Provinces, Say Conservative and Bloc MPs

Bloc leader Yves-Francois Blanchet speaks during a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 13, 2023. The Canadian Press/ Patrick Doyle

The federal Conservatives joined the Bloc Québécois Monday to try and send a message to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that it is up to the provinces to decide how to use the notwithstanding clause.

Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet brought forward a motion in the House of Commons calling on MPs to recognize that provinces have a “legitimate right” to use the clause, including pre-emptively.