Michael Taube: When It Comes to the Notwithstanding Clause, Doug Ford Had No Other Option

Ontario Premier Doug Ford sits in the Ontario Legislature as members debate a bill meant to avert a planned strike by 55,000 education workers, on Nov. 1, 2022. The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn

Commentary

Ontario Premier Doug Ford passed Bill 28, or the Keeping Students in Class Act, on Nov. 3 to prevent roughly 55,000 education support workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees from going on strike. The provincial government also received royal assent to include Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or the notwithstanding clause, to ensure no court challenges could be filed.