Day 10 of the strike tomorrow. Looks like this is going to go into next week. A lot of the discussion lately is around the UCP's possible use of the notwithstanding clause to suspend our Charter rights and force us back to work.
Section 33 of the Charter allows for suspension of Charter rights in order to pass a law that the government knows is unconstitutional. Smith using this clause to end the strike is anti-democratic, full stop.
If Smith does this, it will be a full out assault on workers' rights in Canada. It is being used as a political weapon to undermine the collective bargaining process. This is critically important not just for educators, but the democratic fabric of our country.
|