Alberta uses notwithstanding clause in bill ordering teachers back to work

The Alberta government is invoking the Charter’s notwithstanding clause in back-to-work legislation that will force public school teachers to return to class after a three-week strike, a move that organized labour leaders said could cause an “unprecedented response” by unions across the province.

If passed, the bill would use the notwithstanding clause, which allows governments to shield legislation from Charter challenges in court, to override Alberta teachers’ Charter right to strike or bargain collectively.