Using the notwithstanding clause to stop legal challenge to back-to-work legislation is a nuclear event for all unions. Will it lead to a general strike in Alberta? It certainly should lead to the Supreme Court establishing Constitutional limits to the clause, or else we have no rights and freedoms.
Brent Toderian
At 2 a.m., the Alberta legislature passed a bill that will force 51,000 teachers back to work, impose a four-year contract and use the notwithstanding clause to stave off a legal challenge and suspend teacher bargaining at the local level. It includes fines for Ts and the ATA if they defy it. #AbLeg
Bill 2 passed early Tuesday morning after a long night for lawmakers in the provincial legislature. Premier Danielle Smith’s government introduced the legislation the day before.
