whack-a-mole

Saturday May 4, 2024

The concerns regarding Pierre Poilievre's casual use of the Notwithstanding clause include the potential undermining of the balance of power, diminishing the importance of Charter rights, the risk of misuse and abuse, and setting a dangerous precedent for future governments.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 4, 2024

The Notwithstanding Clause Should Not Be a Regular Strategy of Governing

Both Bonnie Crombie and Pierre Poilievre's opposition to the carbon tax raises questions about their alternative plans for addressing climate change, leaving voters to wonder: if not a carbon tax, then what specific measures do they propose to tackle this urgent issue, if any at all?

March 22, 2024

The federal Conservatives’ proposal to utilize the notwithstanding clause to override Charter-protected rights and freedoms has sparked a heated debate. While Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre initially focused on criminal justice matters, the Official Opposition did not rule out its application to other policy areas. This article serves as a warning to Poilievre, urging him to reconsider using the notwithstanding clause as a regular strategy of governing. The potential consequences of such an approach, along with the context of recent discussions, must be carefully considered.

Opinion: Poilievre flirts with far right while media looks away

Earlier this week, Poilievre avoided clarifying how often he intended to use the notwithstanding clause when questioned by the media. His spokesperson later stated that their attention was focused on ensuring the imprisonment of the most dangerous criminals, such as mass murderers and child predators, to protect the safety of Canadians. However, the use of the notwithstanding clause has been increasingly invoked by provincial governments to restrict labor rights, freedom of expression, and religion. This raises concerns about the purpose and legitimacy of the clause, as well as its potential misuse.

December 1, 2022

Poilievre specifically mentioned his intention to override a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a law allowing for life sentences with no chance of parole. He referred to the case of Alexandre Bissonnette, who committed a heinous act by killing six Muslim worshippers in a Quebec City mosque in 2017. The Supreme Court ruled that sentencing mass killers, including terrorists, to whole-life sentences constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Poilievre criticized this ruling, arguing that Bissonnette should remain behind bars for life. However, legal experts have pointed out that Poilievre’s comments misrepresent Bissonnette’s sentence, as the 25-year mark only represents the earliest eligibility for parole. They emphasize that the Charter was designed to protect the rights of unpopular minorities and prevent the government from engaging in cruel and unusual punishment.

News: Love the idea or hate it, experts say federal use of notwithstanding clause would be a bombshell 

September 11, 2018

Using the notwithstanding clause as a regular strategy of governing poses significant risks. It undermines the balance of power and judicial independence, as well as diminishes the importance of Charter-protected rights and freedoms. Regular reliance on the clause erodes public confidence and trust in the government’s commitment to upholding fundamental rights. Furthermore, it sets a dangerous precedent by allowing the government to override rights without sufficient justification. The notwithstanding clause was intended to be a limited and exceptional measure, and using it as a routine tool undermines the integrity of our democratic system.

The artist at work drawing this cartoon from a remote location: student housing in Ottawa

Pierre Poilievre must heed this warning and carefully consider the potential consequences of using the notwithstanding clause as a regular strategy of governing. The context surrounding recent discussions, including the case of Alexandre Bissonnette, highlights the importance of protecting individual rights and maintaining the balance of power within our democratic system. Rather than diluting the purpose of the notwithstanding clause, Poilievre should seek alternative approaches that uphold the principles of justice, equality, and respect for Charter-protected rights. Our democracy’s strength lies in the preservation of checks and balances and the protection of individual rights for all Canadians. (AI)

 

Friday January 7, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 7, 2022

We are playing whack-a-mole with variants – and the virus is winning

As we begin year three of the Covid-19 pandemic, hunkering down again to survive the viral blizzard that Omicron has brought, it is painfully clear that we are failing to learn from the past. 

April 28, 2021

Predictably, rich nations have made boosters and border controls their primary response to the Omicron crisis, while vaccine apartheid, the 800-pound gorilla in the room, is completely unaddressed. If we do not vaccinate the world, the pandemic won’t end, more variants will emerge, and the world will continue to lose millions of lives, along with trillions in economic losses.

While some political leaders might claim that they “didn’t see Omicron coming,” health experts have been shouting from the rooftops about this. For months.

In April 2021, as the delta variant devastated India, causing millions of excess deaths, we had this warning in the Washington Post: “We cannot just vaccinate rich countries and hope that we will be safe. The only way to end this pandemic is to end it everywhere. Otherwise, we will forever play whack-a-mole with a constantly mutating virus.”

Tuesday September 11, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday September 11, 2018

Ford plans to invoke notwithstanding clause for first time in province’s history

Premier Doug Ford is taking an unprecedented step, invoking the province’s powers and using the “notwithstanding” clause to override a court decision that shut down his plans to cut the size of Toronto’s city council.

July 28, 2018

For the first time in the province’s history, Ford says he plans to use a rarely reached-for tool in the Charter to allow the cut to 25 wards from 47 for the upcoming election to continue — and warned he will use it more than once if he has to.

He said his government is also appealing a court decision released Monday morning and will resume the legislature this week to reintroduce the bill that forced changes to Toronto’s ongoing election.

“I believe the judge’s decision is deeply concerning and the result is unacceptable to the people of Ontario,” Ford said.

Ford made the announcement at a news conference Monday afternoon just hours after a bombshell ruling that shut down his government’s plans to align city council wards with provincial and federal ridings.

“I was elected,” Ford told reporters, while saying the judge “was appointed.”

The actions of the Ford government were harshly criticized in the ruling by Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba, who said the province’s Bill 5, the Better Local Government Act, infringed Charter rights and deemed it unconstitutional.

The judge called that move “unprecedented” and ruled it “substantially interfered with both the candidate’s and the voter’s right to freedom of expression” guaranteed by the Charter.

In doing so, he ordered an election continue on the basis of 47 wards, returning the campaign to a state before Bill 5 was tabled at Queen’s Park. (Source: Toronto Star)